Has Dep't of Education Authorization Expired?

For John, BLUF:  Bureaucrats do what bureaucrats.  Nothing to see here; just move along.

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From the InstaPundit we have this post.

OUR LAWLESS GOVERNMENT:  Education Dept. fails to respond on time to senator’s overreach inquiry.  “The Education Department has failed to respond to a request from Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., regarding the Department’s authority to regulate bullying, harassment and sexual violence.  In January, Lankford sent the Department a letter requesting it to name the specific law or regulation that gave it the authority to begin forcing schools to adjudicate such misconduct.  Lankford gave the Department 28 days to respond, which would have been Thursday. Instead, the Department requested more time.”

Shouldn’t they know the legal basis for exerting their authority before they do so?  Well, only in a lawful government, which this is not.

On the other hand, the Congress may be bringing this on itself.  Over at Politico Mr Danny Vinik offers us "Meet your unauthorized federal government".  The article asserts that it is through the authorization process,♠ as opposed to appropriation process,♥ that Congress has a chance to review the performance of Departments and Agencies.

Hat tip to the InstaPundit for the first item.

Regards  —  Cliff

♠  An authorization allows a Federal Department or Agency to conduct business.  Per the law an agency can be steady as she goes without an authorization.  However, it can't change direction.
♥  An appropriation provides funds to a Federal Department or Agency.