Last Thursday, the White House issued an Executive Order (EO) to begin closing the U.S. Department of Education (ED). Characterized as a State’s responsibility, the intention is to return the Department’s main function back to the States for management. Moreover, “Consistent with the Department of Education’s authorities, the Secretary of Education shall ensure that the allocation of any Federal Department of Education funds is subject to rigorous compliance with Federal law and Administration policy.” The Administration has acknowledged that closure of the Department requires an act of Congress. To that end, Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA) of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee vowed to work with his colleagues in Congress to carry out the EO. COPAA, along with education, civil rights, and disability advocates have opposed the EO, including the proposal to move special education programs -that are housed by federal statute at ED- to HHS.