What Is The 1619 Project? McConnell Wants It Removed From Curriculum KEY POINTS The Senator Minority Leader argued that the 1619 Project aims to 're-orient' American history The Department of Education has little role in deciding the curriculum adopted by American schools Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., on Friday sent a letter to the Education Department to abandon curriculum in American schools that focuses on telling a revisionist history of America’s founding. In the letter addressed to Education Secretary Miguel Cardona, which was obtained by CNN, the senator argues that programs, such as The New York Times’ 1619 Project, have political agendas and aims to “re-orient” American history.