Linda McMahon’s Nomination for Education Secretary Clears Senate Panel/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 12-11 along party lines to advance Linda McMahon’s nomination as President Trump’s education secretary. McMahon supports “reorienting” the department while preserving key federal programs but backs cutting funds to schools that defy Trump’s policies. The full Senate will next consider her confirmation.
Linda McMahon Education Secretary Nomination Quick Looks:
- Senate committee advances Linda McMahon’s nomination with a 12-11 party-line vote.
- McMahon aims to “reorient” the Education Department, aligning with Trump’s push to dismantle it.
- She promises to preserve Title I funding, Pell grants, and Public Service Loan Forgiveness.
- McMahon supports cutting funds to schools defying Trump’s transgender athlete and DEI policies.
- Democrats raised concerns over potential cuts to African American history classes and DEI programs.
- McMahon’s education experience includes brief service on Connecticut’s education board and a trustee role at Sacred Heart University.
- Trump administration has already dismissed over 100 Education Department employees.
- Republicans mostly backed McMahon, though Sen. Lisa Murkowski expressed concerns about federal overreach.
- The White House may issue an order urging Congress to abolish the department.
- Final confirmation awaits a full Senate vote.
Linda McMahon’s Nomination for Education Secretary Clears Senate Panel
Deep Look:
Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) and a close ally of President Donald Trump, moved one step closer to becoming the next U.S. education secretary on Thursday. The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions approved her nomination by a narrow 12-11 vote, with all Republicans in favor and Democrats opposed. Her nomination now heads to the full Senate for final consideration.
McMahon, known for her business acumen and two unsuccessful Senate bids in Connecticut, has limited direct experience in education. Her background includes serving briefly on Connecticut’s board of education in 2009 and as a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University. Despite this, she expressed confidence in her ability to lead the Education Department while supporting Trump’s agenda to overhaul—and potentially dismantle—the agency.
At her confirmation hearing, McMahon emphasized her commitment to “reorienting” the department to align with Trump’s goals, though she acknowledged that fully abolishing it would require congressional approval. “We’d like to make sure that we are presenting a plan that I think our senators could get on board with,” McMahon said.
She pledged to maintain crucial federal programs like Title I funding for low-income schools, Pell grants for college students from disadvantaged backgrounds, and the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. However, McMahon also vowed to withhold federal funds from schools that defy Trump’s executive orders, particularly those involving bans on transgender athletes in women’s sports, efforts to combat campus antisemitism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives.
Democrats voiced significant concerns about how these policies could affect education nationwide. When asked whether African American history classes could face funding cuts under Trump’s DEI ban, McMahon said she was uncertain and needed further review. Her response raised alarms among Senate Democrats, who argue the administration’s approach risks undermining inclusive education.
Republicans largely rallied behind McMahon, praising her leadership skills and alignment with Trump’s broader education reform strategy. Yet, some expressed reservations. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) questioned whether Trump might pressure McMahon to overstep her authority and infringe on local control of schools—a principle traditionally upheld by conservatives.
The White House is reportedly considering an executive order instructing McMahon to begin dismantling the Education Department while urging Congress to abolish it entirely. Even without formal orders, the Trump administration has already taken aggressive steps, terminating or suspending over 100 department employees and canceling multiple contracts under Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency.
McMahon’s nomination symbolizes Trump’s broader vision to shrink federal oversight in education, shifting power to states and local districts. Supporters argue this approach reduces bureaucracy, while critics fear it could weaken protections for marginalized students and disrupt essential services.
As the full Senate prepares for a final vote, McMahon’s nomination remains contentious. If confirmed, she would play a pivotal role in executing Trump’s education policies, potentially reshaping the nation’s public education system for years to come.
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