DALLAS — Congresswoman Jasmine Crockett is joining other Texas lawmakers in urging the U.S. Department of Education to reverse its decision to close its regional office in Dallas.
The office, housed in the Civil Rights Building, plays a critical role in handling civil rights complaints, ensuring equal educational opportunities, and addressing issues such as disability rights.
“When we look at civil rights… It’s a lot bigger than race,” the congresswoman told us on Inside Texas Politics.
As a former civil rights attorney, Crockett emphasized the broader impact of the office’s closure beyond Texas.
“This is really an epicenter of something that is so critical to everyone, not just those in Texas but everyone in this country,” Crockett said.
Beyond the closure of the Dallas office, Crockett raised concerns over President Donald Trump’s reported plan to sign an executive order restructuring or even dismantling the Department of Education. She stressed that many Americans do not fully understand the department’s role.
“People think about student loans, but it’s much bigger than that,” Crockett explained. “When we are talking about people having access to higher education, it comes through the Department of Education.”
Crockett warned that eliminating or weakening the department could disproportionately harm lower-income students, restricting college opportunities to those who can afford tuition without financial aid. She also highlighted the potential impact on school lunch programs that provide free or reduced meals to students in need.
The congresswoman also addressed concerns about the Justice Department’s Enforcement Division, highlighted bipartisan efforts to combat the fentanyl crisis, and discussed the future of Congress.