Nomination of Linda McMahon as U.S. Secretary of Education
Originally posted听 & published on The National Association for Music Education by Zachary Keita.
On February 12, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a confirmation hearing of President Trump鈥檚 nominee for U.S. Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. During the hearing, McMahon responded to inquiries regarding her experience and knowledge on programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education (ED) and outlined her vision for ED if she were to be confirmed by the full Senate as Secretary.听
Senate HELP Committee members asked many questions about the Trump Administration鈥檚 stated goal of closing or limiting funding to ED and the potential impact on communities across the country. In response to this line of questioning, McMahon stated, 鈥淚t鈥檚 not the president鈥檚 goal to defund the programs, only to have it [the Department] operate more efficiently.鈥� This comment comes in stark contrast to the plan outlined by the President, who has noted he鈥檇 like to 鈥渟ee [the Department] close immediately.鈥� McMahon went on to clarify that any action to close ED would need Congressional approval, but programs may be subject to re-organizing within other executive agencies.
Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA)听
Senator Cassidy opened by expressing deep concerns about declining literacy and math scores, making it clear that simply 鈥渢hrowing more money and regulations at the problem鈥� won鈥檛 fix it. His remarks focused on key challenges in K鈥�12 and higher education, as well as broader policy issues. Following is a summary.听
Challenges in K鈥�12 Education听
- The pandemic exacerbated pre-existing learning gaps.听
- NAEP scores show major declines in reading and math.听
- Traditional public schools are struggling, leading more families to seek alternatives like charter schools.听
- The Biden administration鈥檚 regulations have made it harder for charter schools to expand.听
- Excessive bureaucracy at ED limits schools鈥� ability to access federal funding.听
Higher Education & Student Loans听
- Many colleges aren鈥檛 preparing students for the workforce, and too many degrees provide a poor return on investment.听
- The student debt crisis has worsened, and taxpayer-funded debt relief is not the solution.听
- Federal student loan system should be revised to better align with workforce needs.听
Cultural & Policy Concerns听
- Rising antisemitism on college campuses needs urgent attention.
- ED has prioritized politics over student success.听
Support for McMahon & Education Reform听
- Shifting control of education back to states and parents听
- Expanding school choice and reducing federal overreach听
- Noting McMahon鈥檚 leadership at the Small Business Administration as strong preparation for reforming ED听
- Describing McMahon鈥檚 leadership as an opportunity to fix a broken system and empower families听
颁辞苍肠濒耻蝉颈辞苍听
Senator Bill Cassidy called for bold, transformative changes in education policy and urged support for McMahon to lead ED in a way that prioritizes student success, workforce readiness, and parental rights.听
Senate HELP Committee Ranking Member Bernie Sanders (D-VT)听
Senator Sanders opened by raising concerns about how McMahon would implement the Trump administration鈥檚 goal of closing ED. He warned that shutting down ED would have devastating effects on underserved communities. Sanders emphasized the essential role public schools play in providing all children with a quality education and criticized efforts to privatize education through school choice. He also highlighted the critical work educators do and called for a minimum teacher salary of $60,000. Additionally, he underscored ED鈥檚 role in supporting afterschool programs, summer enrichment, and mental health services.听
Challenges for Teachers & Students听
- Teachers face increasing demands, from delivering a well-rounded education to addressing students鈥� emotional and mental health needs.听
- Vulnerable children are particularly affected by the current challenges in the education system.听
Opposition to Privatization of Public Education听
- Sanders firmly opposed efforts to privatize education through vouchers and school choice.听
- He argued these initiatives create a two-tiered system, benefiting wealthier families while leaving public schools under-resourced.听
- Public funds, he insisted, should be used to strengthen public schools, not subsidize private education.听
Defense of the U.S. Department of Education听
- ED provides crucial support to 26 million children in high-poverty schools and millions of students with disabilities.听
- Federal programs like Pell Grants help more than 7 million low-income students access higher education.听
- Abolishing ED would harm disadvantaged students rather than fix the system.听
Policy Priorities for a Secretary of Education听
- Sanders called for raising the minimum teacher salary to $60,000.听
- He pushed for expanded afterschool programs, summer enrichment, and increased mental health resources in schools.听
- He stressed the importance of fully funding the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).听
颁辞苍肠濒耻蝉颈辞苍听
Bernie Sanders expressed serious concerns about McMahon鈥檚 nomination and her alignment with Trump鈥檚 education agenda. He called for a Secretary of Education committed to strengthening public schools, supporting educators, and ensuring every child has equitable access to a quality education.听
Summary of Witness Testimony 鈥� Linda McMahon, Nominee for Secretary of Education听
In her opening statement, Linda McMahon pledged to advance President Trump鈥檚 vision for education reform. She discussed concerns about declining student achievement, campus safety, and ideological influences in schools. McMahon advocated for expanded school choice, stronger parental rights, and reducing federal control over education. She emphasized the need for career-focused learning, transparency in higher education costs, and investment in STEM fields. She also pledged to protect students from discrimination, ensure parental involvement in education, and collaborate with Congress and stakeholders to improve student outcomes nationwide.
Key Issues in Education听
- Declining Student Performance: K鈥�12 math and reading scores are at historic lows.听
- Campus Safety: Rising violent crime in public colleges needs urgent attention.听
- Mental Health Crisis: Student suicide rates are increasing, requiring stronger support systems.听
McMahon鈥檚 Policy Priorities听
- Educational Freedom over Bureaucracy听
- Advocates for school choice and reducing federal oversight in education听
- Supports funding students directly rather than government-run systems听
- Parental Rights & Traditional Values听
- Emphasizes parents鈥� role in shaping their children鈥檚 education听
- Criticizes ideological shifts in curriculum and pushes for a focus on American history and values听
- Workforce Development & Career Pathways听
- Promotes career-focused education, particularly in STEM and skilled trades听
- Calls for more apprenticeships and alternatives to traditional college degrees听
- Higher Education Reform听
- Pushes for transparency in college costs and stronger alignment with workforce needs听
- Encourages innovation in education while working to reduce student debt burdens听
- Protecting Students鈥� Rights
- Pledges to combat discrimination, particularly antisemitism on college campuses听
- Opposes policies allowing male students to compete in female sports and access female spaces听
- Supports parental authority in shaping children鈥檚 moral education听
As of March 3, Linda McMahon has been confirmed as Secretary of Education by the full United States Senate. Following her nomination, McMahon released a statement titled outlining her vision for American education. McMahon鈥檚 vision for American education entails: 鈥�(1) Parents as the primary decision makers in their children鈥檚 education, (2) Taxpayer-funded education should refocus on meaningful learning in math, reading, science, and history, (3) Postsecondary education should be a path to a well-paying career aligned with workforce needs.鈥� NAfME will continue to monitor actions from the U.S. Department of Education and ensure that our members stay informed. Meanwhile, we will continue our ongoing advocacy at the federal level to support a well-rounded education, which includes music and the arts.
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Zach serves as NAfME鈥檚 Public Policy and Communications Manager. In this role, Zach focuses on federal public policy and engaging with Members of Congress and the U.S. Department of Education. Zach will also play a lead role in staffing the Music Education Policy Roundtable. Prior to joining NAfME, Zach was a dedicated political advocate on several issues and most recently taught middle school Latin in the Washington DC area. Zach graduated from the University of Kansas in 2020 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in Political Science and Classical Antiquity. In his personal life, Zach enjoys reading, spending time in nature, and of course, listening to music.
Featured Photo: The Entrance of the Lyndon B. Johnson Department of Education building in Washington, DC. Logo Photo: Greggory DiSalvo, iStock/Getty Images Plus.