On February 13, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Department of Education, Linda McMahon, testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP).
Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chair of the committee, led the confirmation hearing, with his opening remarks focused on the Education Department’s shortcomings. Cassidy believes that the department’s status quo is not working and change is needed.
Ranking member Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) followed Cassidy, stressing the importance of public education. He raised concerns about Trump’s well-known desire to abolish the Department of Education, noting that 26 million children live in high-poverty school districts and would be severely impacted by such a move. Multiple senators throughout the hearing echoed Sanders’ concerns, asking who would be responsible for shutting down the department.
In her opening statement, McMahon outlined her qualifications for the role of Education Secretary, as her background is largely in business and entertainment. She led the U.S. Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term and currently serves in a leadership role at the American First Policy Institute. Regarding her education experience, she was appointed to the Connecticut Board of Education in 2009, serving for about one year, and she has served on the Board of Trustees of Sacred Heart University, a private, Catholic institution in Connecticut. McMahon addressed concerns from lawmakers about her qualifications and vision for the Department of Education. She emphasized her commitment to improving education and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students.
McMahon assured the committee that she would consult with Congress about the agency’s future, stating that, “It’s not the president’s goal to defund the programs, only to have them operate more efficiently.” However, this is in direct contrast to reports that this administration is preparing an executive order to eliminate the Department of Education. In early February, Trump told reporters that he wanted McMahon to eventually “put herself out of a job.”
Later in the hearing, McMahon addressed Senator Susan Collins’ (R-ME) concerns regarding Title I funds for low-income school districts and Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds for students with disabilities, saying that the Congressionally appropriated funding would remain. However, she also stated that both might be better served under the purview of a different agency (e.g., moving special education to the Department of Health and Human Services).
Senator Jon Husted (R-MI) brought up poverty inequality and emphasized the need for school choice as a means of addressing educational disparities. McMahon expressed support for expanding educational options, including charter and magnet programs, to give parents and students more opportunities. She argued that competition could drive improvements in public schools, though critics have warned that prioritizing school choice could divert funding from traditional public schools and harm disadvantaged students.
Committee members also questioned McMahon about her stance on Title IX, including sexual harassment and assault policies and protections for transgender students. While she affirmed her commitment to upholding Title IX, lawmakers criticized her for lacking specific policy details and raised concerns about potential rollbacks. Another major topic was the rise of antisemitism on college campuses, with senators pressing McMahon on how she would address incidents of hate speech and discrimination. McMahon acknowledged these concerns and pledged to work with universities to combat antisemitism and promote inclusivity. However, some lawmakers called for more concrete actions and stronger federal oversight to ensure student safety and accountability.
A week after the hearing, on February 20, the Senate HELP Committee advanced McMahon’s nomination to the Senate floor in a 12-11 party-line vote. A final vote by the full Senate has not yet been scheduled, but is expected to take place next week.
