Three House Democrats vie to lead education fight against Trump in the next Congress

Three House Democrats are competing to lead the party on the House Education and Workforce Committee when Democrats take the majority. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut are both challenging Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, the committee's current top Democrat, for the chair ¹.

The contest follows Democrats' sweeping wins in Tuesday's midterm elections. The incoming majority wants to lower childcare costs, reverse the dismantling of the Education Department and take on the student loan crisis, The Hill reported ¹.

Three candidates, three records

Scott has been on the committee since 1993. He was chair from 2019 to 2023 and has been the top Democrat for the past two years ¹. Bonamici was first elected in 2011, and Hayes joined Congress seven years ago, which gives her the least time in office of the three ¹.

Hayes announced her bid in September. She said all three "care about the same Democratic policies," but argued that seniority should not decide the vote ¹.

From Channel GOPJeffries: House Democrats have taken back CongressHakeem Jeffries · 152 plays · captioned, with the source named

I’ve asked for a hearing on school shootings the entire time I’ve been on the committee, and we’ve never even addressed it

Bonamici announced her bid in October. She promised to bring back the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee and to hold hearings on gun violence ¹. Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey backs Scott and said there is "no reason other than personal ambition" to change the committee's leadership ¹.

What Democrats say they will do

The day after Democrats won the House, Scott sent a message to the heads of 10 federal departments and agencies. It reminded them of their duty to preserve public records ¹. In a statement, he said the Trump administration has moved to dismantle the Education Department ¹.

I will use Congress’ oversight tools and leave no stone unturned as I fight for policies that actually deliver for the American public

Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona listed priorities for the new majority. They include reversing the Education Department cuts and repealing the new federal voucher tax credit. She also named expanding Pell Grants, which help lower-income students pay for college, and fully funding Title I schools, which serve many low-income students ¹.

Other Democrats on the committee said childcare, civil rights, artificial intelligence, college affordability and options such as apprenticeships are high on their lists ¹.

In the Senate, Democrats will also gain oversight powers over the Education Department. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said Democrats will hold Education Secretary Linda McMahon accountable ¹. The Education Department did not respond to The Hill's request for comment ¹.

Why it matters

The pattern is that oversight fights over the Education Department did not start this week. In June 2025, Democrats accused McMahon of stonewalling the department's inspector general. Scott said then that lack of cooperation "ought to be concerning" ².

That matters because the next top Democrat on this committee will set the agenda for hearings and records demands. Those could cover student aid, school funding and the department's future. The Hill's report did not say when Democrats will choose their leader ¹.

The Record

1. Jun 4, 2025Democrats accused Education Secretary Linda McMahon of stonewalling the department's inspector general ².
2. Nov 3, 2026Democrats won the House majority in the midterm elections, setting up the committee leadership contest ¹.
3. Nov 6, 2026Scott, Bonamici and Hayes are all seeking to lead Democrats on the House Education and Workforce Committee ¹.

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<h2>Three House Democrats vie to lead education fight against Trump in the next Congress</h2> <p><em>By The GOP Files Capitol Desk. This article first appeared on <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/three-house-democrats-vie-to-lead-education-fight-against-trump-in-the-next-congress">The GOP Files</a> on Friday, November 6, 2026.</em></p> <p>Three House Democrats are competing to lead the party on the House Education and Workforce Committee when Democrats take the majority. Reps. Suzanne Bonamici of Oregon and Jahana Hayes of Connecticut are both challenging Rep. Bobby Scott of Virginia, the committee&#39;s current top Democrat, for the chair .</p> <p>The contest follows Democrats&#39; sweeping wins in Tuesday&#39;s midterm elections. The incoming majority wants to lower childcare costs, reverse the dismantling of the Education Department and take on the student loan crisis, The Hill reported .</p> <h2>Three candidates, three records</h2> <p>Scott has been on the committee since 1993. He was chair from 2019 to 2023 and has been the top Democrat for the past two years . Bonamici was first elected in 2011, and Hayes joined Congress seven years ago, which gives her the least time in office of the three .</p> <p>Hayes announced her bid in September. She said all three &quot;care about the same Democratic policies,&quot; but argued that seniority should not decide the vote .</p> <blockquote><p>I’ve asked for a hearing on school shootings the entire time I’ve been on the committee, and we’ve never even addressed it</p><p>&mdash; Jahana Hayes, U.S. Representative, Democrat-Connecticut</p></blockquote> <p>Bonamici announced her bid in October. She promised to bring back the Civil Rights and Human Services Subcommittee and to hold hearings on gun violence . Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey backs Scott and said there is &quot;no reason other than personal ambition&quot; to change the committee&#39;s leadership .</p> <h2>What Democrats say they will do</h2> <p>The day after Democrats won the House, Scott sent a message to the heads of 10 federal departments and agencies. It reminded them of their duty to preserve public records . In a statement, he said the Trump administration has moved to dismantle the Education Department .</p> <blockquote><p>I will use Congress’ oversight tools and leave no stone unturned as I fight for policies that actually deliver for the American public</p><p>&mdash; Bobby Scott, U.S. Representative and ranking member, House Education and Workforce Committee, Democrat-Virginia</p></blockquote> <p>Rep. Adelita Grijalva of Arizona listed priorities for the new majority. They include reversing the Education Department cuts and repealing the new federal voucher tax credit. She also named expanding Pell Grants, which help lower-income students pay for college, and fully funding Title I schools, which serve many low-income students .</p> <p>Other Democrats on the committee said childcare, civil rights, artificial intelligence, college affordability and options such as apprenticeships are high on their lists .</p> <p>In the Senate, Democrats will also gain oversight powers over the Education Department. Sen. Ed Markey of Massachusetts said Democrats will hold Education Secretary Linda McMahon accountable . The Education Department did not respond to The Hill&#39;s request for comment .</p> <h2>Why it matters</h2> <p>The pattern is that oversight fights over the Education Department did not start this week. In June 2025, Democrats accused McMahon of stonewalling the department&#39;s inspector general. Scott said then that lack of cooperation &quot;ought to be concerning&quot; .</p> <p>That matters because the next top Democrat on this committee will set the agenda for hearings and records demands. Those could cover student aid, school funding and the department&#39;s future. The Hill&#39;s report did not say when Democrats will choose their leader .</p> <p><em>Read the original, with every source linked, at <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/story/three-house-democrats-vie-to-lead-education-fight-against-trump-in-the-next-congress">thegopfiles.com</a>. Republished under The GOP Files' <a href="https://thegopfiles.com/republish">free republishing terms</a>.</em></p> <img src="https://thegopfiles.com/api/rp/three-house-democrats-vie-to-lead-education-fight-against-trump-in-the-next-congress.gif" alt="" width="1" height="1" style="border:0;width:1px;height:1px">

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Sources

1. The Hill, “Inside the 3-way race to lead House Democrats' education fight against Trump” (2026-11-06). thehill.com/homenews/education/6204242-house-democrats-major
2. ABC News / Good Morning America, “Democrats accuse McMahon of stonewalling Department of Education IG” (2025-06-04). goodmorningamerica.com/news/story/democrats-accuse-mcmahon-s

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