Congress on Tuesday took its first steps toward moving the Department of Energy into the Department of Education’s current headquarters, part of an ongoing Trump administration push to dismantle the department.
In a 41-24 vote, the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved the move, which would cost just over $215 million, per the resolution. Earlier this year, Education Secretary Linda McMahon said the relocation would save an estimated $4.8 million a year.
Because the proposal was made through an arcane procedural vehicle called a prospectus, the measure will not require a full floor vote. The prospectus now moves to the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee for full approval. The Department of Education has said it hopes to move to its new building starting in August.