Senate Holds Hearing on McMahon Confirmation

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions held a hearing Thursday on the nomination of Linda McMahon to serve as Secretary of the Department of Education.

The hearing was a partisan affair that reflected the overall tensions around President Trump’s recent executive orders, funding freezes, and proposal to eliminate the Department of Education. The Committee will vote on her confirmation next week.

During the hearing, a poised McMahon reassured the committee that she intended to comply with federal law and work with Congress when it comes to providing funding for education programs and reorganizing the Department. In response to questions from committee members, McMahon expressed support for Pell Grants, noting that she would like to see the program expanded to encompass short-term Pell for workforce development programs.

McMahon also reaffirmed her commitment to Title IX and vowed to pursue enforcement against antisemitism on college campuses, although she did not provide specifics on what that would entail. However, she largely ducked questions about DEI programs, stating that she would need to evaluate such programs once she is confirmed.

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Jody Feder