Since Getting Elected To Congress, Rouzer Had Sponsored Legislation To Eliminate The Department Of Education Six Times. According to Carolina Journal, “North Carolina congressman David Rouzer, a Republican from the state’s 7th congressional district, has already introduced a bill that would eliminate the Department of Education. This year is the sixth attempt by Rouzer to push for its abolition, a proposal he first introduced after his initial election in 2014.” [Carolina Journal, 3/12/25]
The Department Of Education Provided Funding For “Title I Program, Which Is Meant To Help Educate Children Who Attend Low-Income Schools, And The IDEA program, Which Provides Schools With Money To Help Meet The Needs Of Children With Disabilities.” According to WRAL News, “Some of the Department of Education’s biggest jobs are to administer federal funding appropriated by Congress to K-12 schools and manage the $1.6 trillion federal student loan program and billions of dollars in financial aid. The department’s two biggest funding programs for K-12 schools are the Title I program, which is meant to help educate children who attend low-income schools, and the IDEA program, which provides schools with money to help meet the needs of children with disabilities. [WRAL News, 3/6/25]
The Department Of Education Provides $1.5 Billion In Funding For K-12 Schools In North Carolina. “Federal funding typically accounts for roughly 10% of all K-12 school funding — about $1.5 billion — in North Carolina because the rest comes from state and local taxes.” [WRAL News, 3/6/25]
WRAL News: “More Than 211,000 North Carolina College Students Received A Combined $1 Billion In Federal Grants For The 2023-24 Academic Year, According To Federal Education Records. University of North Carolina System Schools Received About $1.4 Billion In Federal Research Funding In The 2023-24 Fiscal Year.” According to WRAL News, “While the agency’s involvement in K-12 issues has often been in the spotlight politically, by far the department’s biggest expenditure is on higher education. More than 70% of its $224 billion annual budget goes to the federal student aid program. More than 211,000 North Carolina college students received a combined $1 billion in federal grants for the 2023-24 academic year, according to federal education records. University of North Carolina System schools received about $1.4 billion in federal research funding in the 2023-24 fiscal year — about 62% of all university research funds and about 13% of the UNC budget, according to university administrators.” [WRAL News, 3/6/25]
2025: 63% North Carolina Voters Opposed Eliminating The Department Of Education. According to WRAL News, “The Trump administration has begun drafting an executive order that would kick off the process of eliminating the U.S. Department of Education, according to multiple media outlets, in what would be another move by President Donald Trump to swiftly carry out his campaign promises. […] The idea of abolishing the department is opposed by 63% of North Carolina voters, while 30% of voters support it, according to a recent poll from Meredith College in Raleigh.” [WRAL News, 3/6/25]
November 2024: Rouzer Joined The Congressional DOGE Caucus. According to a press release from Rep. Aaron Bean, "On Tuesday, November 19, U.S. Congressman Aaron Bean (FL-04) and U.S. Congressman Pete Sessions (TX-17) launched the Delivering Outstanding Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus to reduce waste, fraud and abuse. On Friday, November 22, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) launched the DOGE Caucus in the Senate. […] In the House, members include Representatives: Cory Mills (FL-7), Celeste Maloy (UT-02), Josh Brecheen (OK-02), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Jeff Van Drew (NJ-02), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Maria Elvira Salazar (FL-27), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Ben Cline (VA-06), Jim Baird (IN-04), Tim Walberg (MI-05), Daniel Webster (FL-11), David Rouzer (NC-07), Dan Newhouse (WA-04), Andy Barr (KY-06), Michael Burgess (TX-26), Debbie Lesko (AZ-08), Nick Langworthy (NY-23), Scott Franklin (FL-18), Stephanie Bice (OK-05), Randy Weber (TX-14), Glenn Grothman (WI-6), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Doug LaMalfa (CA-01), Diana Harshbarger (TN-01), Gary Palmer (AL-06), Beth Van Duyne (TX-06), Rick Allen (GA-12), Tom McClintock (CA-05), Ron Estes (KS-04),Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), Roger Williams (TX-25), Anna Paulina Luna (FL-13), Carlos Gimenez (FL-28), Derrick Van Orden (WI-03), and Mike Rulli (OH-06)." [Press Release – Rep. Aaron Bean, 11/25/24]
February 2025: Rouzer Said Elon Musk “May Be The Very Perfect Person” To Make Changes To The Nation’s Air Traffic Control System. According to Politico, “Elon Musk has pledged to deploy his ‘DOGE’ cost-cutting squad inside the innards of America’s air traffic control system, promising Wednesday to ‘make rapid safety upgrades’ to the complex web of software, hardware, facilities and people that keep planes from crashing into each other. […] Early sentiment on Capitol Hill about Musk rooting through the air traffic control system hewed mostly to partisan lines. ‘I haven’t thought about it,’ said Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.), who sits on the House Transportation Committee. ‘We’re probably 15 years behind in technology at [the] FAA in terms of what’s used by air traffic controllers and everything else. He may be the very perfect person. He’s got experience.’” [Politico, 2/5/25]
June 2025: Rouzer Touted Funding Cuts For USAID, NPR, and PBS. According to a newsletter from Rep. David Rouzer, “With my support, House Republicans passed the Rescissions Act of 2025. This legislation codifies cuts totaling $9.4 billion in wasteful spending identified by the Trump Administration. The package includes cuts to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), National Public Radio (NPR), and Public Broadcasting Service (PBS).” [Newsletter – Rep. David Rouzer, 6/20/25]
HEADLINE: “Voters Jam Lawmakers’ Phone Lines, Inboxes Over Musk. Here Are Answers They’re Getting” [Charlotte Observer, 2/22/25]
HEADLINE: "Brunswick County Protesters Urge Rep. Rouzer To Take Action Against Trump" [WWAY, 3/6/25]
HEADLINE: "Doge Is Touting Its ‘Greatest Hits.’ A Closer Look Reveals Crushing Cuts." [NOTUS, 7/8/25]
HEADLINE: "Teacher Training And Disease Tracking Programs Slashed By DOGE In North Carolina" [News 2 (WFMY), 4/21/25]
DOGE Cut At Least 75 Grants Totaling More Than $714 Million Of Funding For North Carolina, Including $11 Million For The SERVE Center At UNC Greensboro, Which Researched Ways To Help Students Thrive In And Out Of The Classroom. According to News 2 (WFMY), "What we found: At least 75 grants across the state are being slashed, totaling more than $714 million in lost funding. One of the most significant cuts locally is hitting the SERVE Center at UNC Greensboro, which is losing over $11 million in Department of Education funding. The SERVE Center researches ways to help students thrive both in and out of the classroom. The Vice Chancellor for Research and Engagement at UNCG, Dr. Sherine Obare, says the cut will mean ‘we are no longer able to do that specific work. However, there are other programs that SERVE carries out that support K-12 schools, and we will support those schools as much as we can.’" [News 2 (WFMY), 4/21/25]
DOGE Cuts In North Carolina Included Cuts To Research Focused On Preventing Black Maternal Deaths During Childbirth, Research On Suicide Prevention Efforts Focused On Black Youth, And Legal Aid To Help Fight Housing Discrimination. According to News 2 (WFMY), "Some smaller—but no less meaningful—cuts include: $410,000 to UNC Chapel Hill for research focused on preventing Black maternal deaths during childbirth. $380,000 to UNC Charlotte for suicide prevention efforts focused on Black youth. $190,000 to Legal Aid of North Carolina to help fight housing discrimination." [News 2 (WFMY), 4/21/25]
DOGE Cuts Meant A Loss Of At Least $171 Million For The North Carolina Department Of Human Services, Which Said It Would Have To Eliminate At Least 80 Jobs And The Cuts Would Affect Immunization Efforts, Infectious Disease Tracking, Behavioral Health Programs, And Substance Use Disorder Services. According to News 2 (WFMY), "The North Carolina Department of Human Services is taking one of the biggest hits, losing at least $171 million. A spokesperson tells us the department will have to eliminate at least 80 jobs and that the cuts will directly affect: Immunization efforts The new NC Immunization Registry Infectious disease tracking and response Behavioral health programs Substance use disorder services State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore recently warned that these cuts could have serious consequences for public health. ‘If those programs were to go away, it would mean that we would lose our ability to be able to track what kinds of infections are circulating in our communities and to be able to respond quickly … I worry that we'll see a lot more cases and outbreaks of diseases,’ he said." [News 2 (WFMY), 4/21/25]
HEADLINE: "More Than 20 Government Facilities In North Carolina On The Chopping Block Amid DOGE Cuts" [NC Newsline, 3/7/25]