Senate Committee Conducts Confirmation Hearing for McMahon as Education Secretary

On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to review Linda McMahon's nomination for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). In her opening statement, McMahon committed to fulfilling education-related campaign promises, emphasizing parental involvement and reducing the federal role in education.   

The question-and-answer session focused on special education, beginning with HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who inquired about early dyslexia diagnosis. Senator Collins (R-ME) asked how oversight and administration of education programs would be managed if ED were reorganized or closed. McMahon suggested that the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) might be more effectively administered by Health and Human Services, where other health and disability programs are overseen.   

Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH) spoke about the importance of ED as it relates to special education services and the need to increase IDEA funding. She noted that before IDEA and ED, states and schools did not educate children with disabilities; they barred them from schools and institutionalized them. She emphasized that special education is hard, which is why ED’s role is essential. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA) made a point about the role of the ED in IDEA enforcement. A vote on McMahon’s nomination is expected in the HELP Committee on February 20, 2025. 

To view the nomination hearing, go here.  

Action Alert: To educate Congress about the importance of keeping special education at the U.S. Department of Education, please use and share CEC’s action alert here.