The issue focused on the role of the federal bureaucracy, and whether a change in federal policy would have a negative impact on states.

"It would be an absolute disaster for this state and for many people here in our state," said Sen. Mark Leno, D-Las Vegas, chairman the Senate Government Oversight Committee.

The Senate committee voted 12-5 in favor of legislation that would eliminate the federal agency that oversees state education funding. It had originally considered a bill that would have eliminated the agency