Linda McMahon Confirmed as Education Secretary in Party-Line Vote
Image credits: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
The Republican-led Senate has voted to confirm Linda McMahon as the new secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, with a party-line vote of 51-45. McMahon, a former professional wrestling magnate and leader of the U.S. Small Business Administration during President Donald Trump's first term, has limited background in education, having served on Connecticut's State Board of Education for about a year. Despite this, she has been tasked with overseeing the dismantling of the Education Department, a goal that has been met with opposition from many, including a new NPR/PBS News/Marist poll that finds 63% of respondents opposed to getting rid of the department.
McMahon's confirmation hearing was heated at times, with protesters shouting about protections for students and senators expressing concerns over her plans for the department. She vowed to "reorient" the U.S. Department of Education and "invest in teachers not Washington bureaucrats," but her statements have been met with skepticism by some, who point out that the administration's plans to dismantle the department could have significant impacts on public education and funding. The Education Department is among the smallest of all federal agencies, and one of its primary roles is to administer federal funding for K-12 schools, including through Title I and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
McMahon has said that she considers the Education Department and education funding to be two different things, and that the former can be dismantled without affecting the latter. However, this statement has been met with criticism from some, who argue that it is not possible to separate the two. Sen. Maggie Hassan, a New Hampshire Democrat, expressed exasperation at McMahon and Republicans who say they want the department to use its enforcement authority to punish schools that flout the new administration's demands, while also saying they want to strip the department of this very enforcement authority. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, who has spoken out against school choice policies, asked if McMahon's primary role as education secretary would be "to support and strengthen our public schools," to which McMahon replied that she absolutely believes that public schools are the bedrock of education.
The Senate vote was largely along party lines, with 51 Republicans voting in favor of McMahon's confirmation and 45 Democrats voting against. The vote has significant implications for the future of public education in the United States, and many are watching to see how McMahon will carry out her role as Education Secretary. Some of the key points of her plan include: * Reorienting the U.S. Department of Education to focus on state-led education initiatives * Investing in teachers and education programs, rather than Washington bureaucrats * Reducing the role of the federal government in education, and giving more power to states and local communities * Supporting school choice policies and charter schools * Overseeing the dismantling of the Education Department, while ensuring that education funding is not affected.
As the new Education Secretary, McMahon will face significant challenges in carrying out her plans, including opposition from Democrats and education advocates, as well as the need to navigate the complex and often contentious world of federal education policy. However, with the support of the Republican-led Senate and the Trump administration, she is likely to have significant influence over the direction of public education in the United States.
education linda mcmahon secretary vote confirm school fund department reorient
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