The 'Less Bureaucracy, Better Family Engagement Act' (H.R. 9608) proposes transferring several education-related programs from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Specifically, it would move programs focused on family engagement in education, community support for school success, school safety, and educational programming grants. This shift aims to streamline administration by placing these programs under an agency better suited to manage them. The bill ensures that all associated staff, funds, and resources are transferred to HHS, maintaining continuity of services. Additionally, it mandates that the total number of federal employees does not increase as a result of this transfer. The transition is designed to be smooth, with existing rules and contracts remaining valid until updated, and the bill would take effect six months after enactment.
Supporters of the bill argue that transferring these programs to HHS will reduce bureaucratic inefficiencies and enhance program effectiveness by aligning them with an agency that has a broader focus on family and community health. They believe this move will lead to better coordination and delivery of services that support family engagement and school safety. The bill is part of a broader legislative package introduced by the House Committee on Education and Workforce aimed at streamlining federal education administration and reducing unnecessary bureaucracy.
Critics express concern that shifting these programs from the Department of Education to HHS could disrupt existing services and relationships established within the education sector. They worry that the transition may lead to confusion and potential gaps in program delivery during the handover period. Additionally, some argue that this move is part of a broader effort to dismantle the Department of Education, which could undermine federal support for education initiatives. There is also apprehension that the focus on reducing bureaucracy might overlook the complexities involved in effectively managing and delivering educational programs.
The analysis of H.R. 9608 reveals no direct industry overlaps between the sponsor Mary Miller's top donor industries and the bill's subject matter. While there is notable lobbying activity in the policy area, the contributions from these entities do not indicate a clear conflict of interest with the bill's objectives. For instance, Coinbase, Inc. contributed $180,000, but its focus on cryptocurrency does not directly relate to family engagement or bureaucracy reduction. Similarly, other contributors like Murphy Oil Corporation and Bombardier Aerospace have interests that do not intersect with the bill's aims. Therefore, the risk of conflict is minimal, as the financial interests of the donors do not appear to influence the legislative intent of this bill.
Organizations that lobbied on issues related to this bill's policy area.
| Client | Lobbying Firm | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| COINBASE, INC. | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $180,000 |
| AMERICA FIRST AGRICULTURE, INC. | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $110,000 |
| OWEN G. DUNN CO., INC. | CHECKMATE GOVERNMENT RELATIONS | $100,000 |
| MURPHY OIL CORPORATION | MURPHY OIL CORPORATION | $50,000 |
| THE RITESCREEN COMPANY, LLC | BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC | $40,000 |
| PARALLEL SYSTEMS | CROSSROADS STRATEGIES, LLC | $40,000 |
| BOMBARDIER AEROSPACE (HOLDINGS) USA INC (FORMER CLIENT BOMBARDIER TRANSIT CORP) | COVINGTON & BURLING LLP | $30,000 |
| CENTER FOR HEALTH AND DEMOCRACY | PORT SIDE STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| CENTREPOLIS | STRATEGIC MARKETING INNOVATIONS | $20,000 |
| SOCIAL SECURITY WORKS | PORT SIDE STRATEGIES, LLC | $20,000 |
| SHEPHERD CENTER | STRATEGIC HEALTH CARE | $18,000 |
| BEMIDJI STEEL COMPANY | STRATEGIC MARKETING INNOVATIONS | $10,000 |
| NUCOR STEEL | STRATEGIC MARKETING INNOVATIONS | $10,000 |
| XONA SPACE SYSTEMS, INC. | COVINGTON & BURLING LLP | undisclosed |
| POLARIS INDUSTRIES, INC. | BUCHANAN INGERSOLL & ROONEY PC | undisclosed |
Source: Senate Lobbying Disclosure Act (LDA) filings, 2026
Top industries funding Mary Miller, ranked by total contributions.
Source: OpenSecrets.org (Center for Responsive Politics)
