The House has approved a resolution calling on Congress to eliminate the federal Department of Education.
In doing so, the House returned to the initial intent of the resolution. The Senate softened the language, so that it would call on the federal government to work with the states to improve the educational system. But the House decided to go back to the way it was introduced.
Rep. Jim Kasper (R-Fargo) says the Department itself is unconstitutional – and education is best left in the hands of the states – and local administrators and teachers.
"Isn't it about time we wake up?" Kasper said during floor debate. "The federal government has not done much of anything right, particularly in the area of education, for 50 years -- except mess things up."
The resolution passed 56 to 31. It now goes back to the Senate, to see if it agrees with the House changes.