The U.S. Department of Education is criticizing a proposal suggested by a top Tennessee Republican lawmaker to cut off 1.8 billion in federal K-12 funds, describing the proposal as “political posturing. ” A department spoksperson says students need more funding not less especially students with the most need to access tutoring and academic support afterschool and summer programs, counselors and other assistance. The lawmaker proposing the idea says the change would keep the federal government out of tennessee schools.