# Education Department Restructures Workforce

The U.S. Department of Education is undergoing significant workforce reductions and program transfers to other federal agencies as part of a broader restructuring effort. These changes include interagency agreements that temporarily relocate employees and programs, primarily within the Washington, D.C. area. Congressional Democrats and union leaders are actively opposing these moves, advocating for legislative protections to preserve the department's functions and workforce stability. This restructuring raises potential impacts on federal education-related contracts, workforce continuity, and program delivery.

- Procurement professionals should anticipate possible shifts in contract management and service delivery as programs move between agencies.
- Contractors supporting Education Department programs may face changes in points of contact, contract administration, or funding streams due to interagency transfers.
- Organizations should evaluate risks related to workforce reductions and program realignments that could affect contract performance and continuity.
- Legislative efforts to restore or protect the department may influence future procurement priorities and funding allocations.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Education
**Topics:** Policy
**Published:** September 18, 2026

### Government Entities
- U.S. Department of Education (ED)
- American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)
- U.S. House of Representatives
- U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP Committee)
- U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ)

### Key Quotes
> You cannot sign an agreement that teaches the Department of Labor how to enforce a student’s civil rights. You cannot repost a job and get back 30 years of knowing how the money actually reaches the classroom 	6 that	s expertise that walked out of the door, and every day it stays gone.
> — Everett Kelley, National President, American Federation of Government Employees

> We may never be able to truly calculate the human cost of all of this, but we at least need to understand the financial cost to taxpayers.
> — Rachel Gittleman, President, AFGE Local 252

> Congressional Democrats, optimistic about regaining a majority in the House or Senate following this year	s midterm elections, are outlining their plans to block the Trump administration from dismantling the Education Department.
> — Original poster

### Sources
- [
        Education Department faces scrutiny over slashes to workforce, programs | Federal News Network](https://federalnewsnetwork.com/workforce/2026/09/education-department-faces-scrutiny-over-slashes-to-workforce-programs) - federalnewsnetwork.com
- [Education Department shutdown plans face a new hurdle](https://www.reddit.com/r/FedEmployees/comments/1wjf5iv/education_department_shutdown_plans_face_a_new) - reddit-fedemployees