Trump plans to split DOE responsibilities between Small Business Administration, HHS

PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — President Donald Trump has signed an executive order that aims to further dismantle the US Department of Education.

The order directs education secretary Linda McMahon to take all necessary steps to shrink the DOE.

Now Trump said the Small Business Administration will handle “all of the student loan portfolio” while the Department of Health and Human Services will “be handling special needs and all of the nutrition programs.”

Locally, the American Federation of Teachers Massachusetts discussed the order’s impact Friday.

Congressional approval is required to abolish a federal agency.

Education secretary McMahon has acknowledged she would need congress to carry out the president’s vision to close the department.

It would take 60 “yes” votes in the senate to overcome the filibuster and dismantle the department that congress created.