Rep. Jahana Hayes, D-Conn., the 2016 National Teacher of the Year, launched the Congressional Teacher Caucus to start Teacher Appreciation Week 2025.
Hayes said the caucus aims to provide a dedicated platform for educators serving in Congress to find common sense solutions to addressing the educational issues of today, according to a release from Hayes’ office.
The caucus also launches in direct response to “unprecedented attacks” against public education and Trump’s pledge to shutter the U.S. Department of Education.
Rep. Jahana Hayes speaks during the House Democrats’ post-caucus meeting news conference in the Capitol, Sept. 18, 2024.
Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call via Getty Images
A fierce defender of public education, Hayes is one of several educators in Congress and serves as a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee. Hayes and a coalition of lawmakers who have been outspoken about the administration’s mission to abolish the agency were denied entry to the department earlier this year.
“What you will not do is shut down this department and deny access to all of those children needed while we’re in Congress.” Rep. Hayes said, speaking at a press conference outside the agency.
“We will not allow for Donald Trump and his allies to rob the piggy bank of the Department of Education and transfer the funds that so many of our children need to fund their wealthy, billionaire friends and all of these school choice voucher programs,” Hayes added.
Congress can dismantle the Department of Education if 60 senators vote “yes” on legislation targeting the agency.
-ABC News’ Arthur Jones II
