Congress fully funded Education Dept, but it’s moving ahead with reassigning employees to other agencies

February 18, 2026 - 09:56

In a move that has sparked internal confusion and external scrutiny, the U.S. Department of Education is proceeding with plans to reassign dozens of employees to different federal agencies, despite a clear mandate from Congress against such actions. This development follows the recent passage of a full-year spending bill that explicitly funds the department but includes a provision prohibiting the use of those funds to "relocate an office or employees."

The reassignments, primarily targeting staff within the department's Office of Elementary and Secondary Education, are part of an ongoing effort to streamline operations. Affected employees have been notified they will be moved to roles in other agencies, such as the Department of Agriculture and the Social Security Administration. Department officials maintain these personnel actions are lawful, arguing they constitute reassignments rather than formal office relocations, and are therefore not in violation of the congressional spending directive.

However, the action has drawn immediate criticism from key lawmakers and employee unions, who contend it directly flouts the intent of the law. Critics argue the maneuver undermines congressional authority and creates instability within the department, potentially impacting its core mission. The situation presents a significant test of administrative interpretation of legislative mandates, with further congressional response likely as the reassignments move forward. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between executive branch management priorities and precise congressional spending controls.