What Is HR 899? Unpacking The Bill To End The Department Of Education

Godfrey Lind 30 Jul 2025

Have you ever wondered what goes into a bill in the United States Congress, or perhaps, what it truly means when lawmakers talk about big changes to government? Well, today, we're taking a closer look at something called HR 899. This particular bill has been making some waves, and it's something many folks are curious about, particularly those who follow discussions about federal spending and education policy. It's a rather direct proposal, and it could, in a way, reshape how we think about federal involvement in schooling.

So, what exactly is HR 899? Basically, it's a bill introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. Its main goal, you see, is quite straightforward: it wants to terminate the Department of Education. This isn't just a small adjustment; it's a proposal to completely do away with a major federal agency. For anyone interested in how laws get made, or perhaps how government departments come and go, this bill offers a really interesting case study, you know.

This bill, HR 899, has appeared in Congress in different sessions, meaning it's a topic that keeps coming up. For instance, it was HR 899 (117th) in one Congress and HR 899 (118th) in another. This suggests a persistent effort by some lawmakers to bring about this change. Understanding what this bill is all about, and what it could mean if it were to become law, is rather important for citizens and taxpayers alike, as a matter of fact.

Understanding HR 899: The Basics
The Bill's Purpose: Ending the Department of Education
Who is Behind HR 899?
The Legislative Path to Become Law
Potential Impact and Financial Considerations
The Language of Change and Its Implications

Understanding HR 899: The Basics

HR 899 is, in essence, a piece of proposed legislation within the United States Congress. It's identified by the "HR" prefix, which, as a matter of fact, tells us it originated in the House of Representatives. Each bill gets a number, and for this one, it's 899. This number stays with it through its journey, even if it's reintroduced in later Congresses, as it has been. So, when you hear "HR 899," you're talking about a specific legislative effort, you know.

Bill summaries, often created by organizations like CRS, help us grasp the main points of such proposals. For HR 899, the summary is quite clear about its core aim. It's not about modifying or restructuring; it's about a complete termination. This sort of direct action is rather uncommon for a federal department, making this bill stand out a little. It's something that, honestly, gets people talking about the role of government.

The text of HR 899 itself is, surprisingly, very brief. It contains just a single sentence. This simplicity, in a way, makes its intent undeniably clear. The Department of Education, according to this bill's text, would be abolished on December 31, 2026. This precise date gives a clear timeline for the proposed change, which is pretty important for planning, or perhaps, for understanding the scope of the proposal. It's a very direct approach, really.

The Bill's Purpose: Ending the Department of Education

The very heart of HR 899 is its clear, stated purpose: to terminate the Department of Education. This isn't just a minor adjustment to a program; it's a proposal to completely dismantle a federal agency that has been around for decades. The bill's intent is, in fact, to remove the federal government's role in education at this departmental level. This is a big deal, as you might imagine, for students, educators, and states alike.

When discussions about ending federal departments come up, especially concerning education, the language used can be quite interesting. For instance, the White House, when talking about dismantling education programs, often uses phrases like "back to the states." This kind of phrasing, you know, can sometimes obscure the full implications. It might make it sound like a simple shift, when in reality, it could have significant effects on students, particularly those who are, perhaps, lower-income or from marginalized communities, as a matter of fact.

The idea behind this bill is, in some respects, to reduce federal oversight and funding in education, giving more control, arguably, to individual states. Proponents of such a move often suggest it would lead to greater efficiency or better local control. However, critics might point out potential gaps in support or resources that could arise. So, it's a proposal with a very clear goal, but one that has many layers of potential consequences, as you can imagine, really.

Who is Behind HR 899?

The reintroduction of HR 899 has been notably championed by Representative Thomas Massie. He is a Republican lawmaker who, on a Friday, announced that he had reintroduced the bill. This means he is the primary sponsor, the person who puts the bill forward for consideration in the House of Representatives. His action, you see, signals a continued effort to push for this significant change in federal government structure. It's a rather consistent stance for him, it seems.

Representative Massie has, in fact, been associated with this effort across different sessions of Congress. For example, the text mentions that he reintroduced HR 899 in the House of Representatives on January 31, 2025. This indicates a recurring commitment to the idea of abolishing the Department of Education. His advocacy is a key part of why this bill continues to be a topic of discussion in Washington, as a matter of fact.

When a lawmaker reintroduces a bill, it means they are bringing it back for consideration, often after it didn't pass in a previous session. This shows persistence and a strong belief in the bill's purpose. It's a way of keeping the conversation alive and trying again to get legislative approval. So, Representative Massie's name is very much tied to the ongoing effort to terminate the Department of Education through HR 899, you know.

The Legislative Path to Become Law

For HR 899, or any bill for that matter, to become law, it must follow a very specific path. First, it gets introduced, as HR 899 was in the House of Representatives. Once introduced, it is typically "referred to" a committee. For HR 899, it was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. This is where the bill first gets a closer look, where members can discuss it, and perhaps, make changes to it. It's a very important first step, really.

After a bill goes through committee, it needs to be passed by both the House and the Senate. And this isn't just a simple vote; it has to pass in "identical form." This means every single word must be the same in the version passed by both chambers. If there are any differences, they have to be worked out, often in a conference committee, until both chambers agree on the exact same text. It's a rather precise process, honestly, designed to ensure agreement.

Finally, after passing both the House and the Senate in identical form, the bill then goes to the President. For HR 899 to become law, the President would need to sign it. If the President signs it, it becomes law. If the President vetoes it, Congress can try to override the veto with a two-thirds vote in both chambers. So, it's a long and sometimes tricky journey for any bill to make it all the way to becoming law, as you can see, you know.

Potential Impact and Financial Considerations

If the Department of Education were to be terminated as HR 899 proposes, it would certainly mean big changes. One of the most talked-about impacts is the financial aspect. The bill's proponents suggest that ending the department could save taxpayers a considerable amount of money. For instance, the appropriated budget for the Department of Education for one fiscal year was about $68.3 billion. So, eliminating the department could, in a way, save that sum, or at least a significant portion of it.

The idea of saving taxpayers money is, naturally, a strong argument for those who support the bill. It's a clear, tangible benefit that can be easily understood. However, the question then becomes what happens to the programs and services currently funded and managed by that budget. Would they simply disappear, or would they be transferred to other agencies, or perhaps, to the states? These are rather important considerations when looking at the full picture of such a change, you know.

Beyond the immediate budget savings, there are broader implications for how education would be handled across the nation. Without a federal Department of Education, states would likely have more autonomy, but they would also lose federal funding streams and guidance. This could affect everything from student aid programs to research initiatives and support for specific educational needs. So, the financial implications are just one piece of a much larger puzzle, as a matter of fact, really.

The Language of Change and Its Implications

The bill HR 899 is, as mentioned, just one sentence long. This brevity means its language is incredibly direct: "The Department of Education would be abolished on December 31, 2026." This kind of plain wording leaves little room for misinterpretation regarding its primary goal. It's a very clear statement of intent, you see, which can be both a strength and a point of contention for those discussing it.

When the White House, or other government officials, discuss dismantling programs like those at the Department of Education, they often use phrases like "back to the states." This phrase is, in a way, meant to convey a sense of decentralization and local control. However, as the provided text suggests, it can also "obscure the fact that students—especially lower" income students—might be significantly affected. This highlights how language can shape public perception of such policy shifts, you know.

Understanding HR 899's text, and the broader discussions around it, means looking beyond just the simple words. It involves considering the practical issues that would arise if proposed changes, like those in section 899, were to take effect. What would it mean for federal student loans, for example, or for national educational standards? These are the kinds of questions that arise when such a direct and impactful bill is put forth. It's a very interesting study in legislative language and its real-world consequences, really. You can read the full text of the bill and track its progress at congress.gov.

Learn more about federal government structure on our site, and link to this page to understand how bills become law.