President Donald Trump on Thursday signed an executive order to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education which oversees federal student loans, funding for low-income students and civil rights enforcement.

While only Congress can completely abolish a federal agency, the administration can begin to reduce the agency’s resources.

Democratic U.S. Rep. Paul Tonko, of the Capital Region, told Capital Tonight that the Trump administration’s “insatiable thirst” to find savings to fund tax cuts for the wealthy will lead to what he calls “a tragic occurrence.”

The U.S. Department of Education was created by an act of Congress in 1979 and signed into law by President Carter. Since its inception, it has been a thorn in the side of right-wing advocates who have pushed for more local control over education. Many in the Republican Party feel constrained by governmental overreach, and anything that smacks of liberal ideology trickling down from on high.

While the Education Department doesn’t set policy for local school districts, it does serve as an agency that protects the civil rights of school children through Title I, which provides resources for poor schools; Title II, which ensures that students who have disabilities get needed services; Title VI which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, or national origin; and Title IX which prohibits discrimination based on sex. 

Title IX has touched a nerve among those who believe allowing trans athletes to compete in girls’ sports undermines both girls’ rights and parental rights.

According to Rep. Tonko, Democrats plan to highlight the positive role of education in fighting against the administration’s move to get rid of the agency.

“Our strategy is to invest in education to make sure the accountability of the programs, and the transparency of the programs are what we push for,” he said.