Democratic Leaders Call for Transparency on DOGE Accessibility in Education Department: What You Need to Know

Democratic leaders in Congress are urging Acting U.S. Secretary of Education Denise Carter to share key information about programs and student privacy measures at the Education Department. They expressed their concerns in a letter, highlighting the department’s vulnerability since the onset of former President Donald Trump’s administration.

The group of lawmakers, including Senators Bernie Sanders, Patty Murray, and Tammy Baldwin, referenced troubling reports about the Department of Education potentially facing similar scrutiny as the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Recently, USAID encountered issues when security personnel were put on leave for denying access to sensitive data that members of Elon Musk’s “Department of Government Efficiency” wanted to examine.

The letter raises serious questions about the management of confidential information at the Education Department. It notes that some staff members may have had access to sensitive financial aid systems that hold personal details of millions of students. Concerns were also raised about how this information is being utilized, particularly in relation to AI systems.

Elizabeth Laird, a director at the Center for Democracy and Technology, stated that sending sensitive data into a general-use AI system poses significant security risks. Individuals who entrusted their information to the department deserve assurance of its safety.

In their letter, the Democratic leaders requested specific information by Friday, including:

• A list of individuals with access to sensitive data since January 20, including their job titles and training received.
• Details on the measures taken to protect sensitive information, like that in the National Student Loan Data System.
• A record of anyone put on leave or terminated since January 20.
• All communications related to administrative leave or termination decisions made during this period.
• Confirmation that no federal awards or obligations have been frozen or canceled since January 20.

The lawmakers emphasized that they will not passively watch the Education Department’s potential dismantling, which could harm students, educators, and communities across the nation. This letter follows closely after a House Resolution aimed at condemning any efforts to defund public education or dismantle the Department of Education.

Reports suggest that executive actions to disband the Department of Education may be on the horizon. Recently, Congressman Thomas Massie reintroduced a bill proposing the department’s termination by the end of 2026. Earlier moves to freeze federal funding across agencies, including the Education Department, were temporarily blocked by a U.S. District judge just before they were to take effect.

These developments highlight the ongoing tension surrounding federal education policy and the protection of student information, raising concerns about the future of public education in America.

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