The Senate has confirmed Linda McMahon, a former pro-wrestling executive and significant Republican donor, to serve as President Donald Trump’s Secretary of the Department of Education.
McMahon’s confirmation came with a 51-45 vote on Monday, marking the 22nd nominee to be confirmed by the Senate under Trump’s administration.
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Trump's Goal: Reducing or Eliminating the Education Department
Trump has consistently advocated for the reduction or complete elimination of the Department of Education, citing his administration's goal of cutting federal bureaucracy.
The President has made it clear that he hopes McMahon, who served as the administrator of the Small Business Administration during Trump’s first term, will work towards “putting herself out of a job” by reducing the department's size or eliminating it altogether.
Support from Senate Leaders
Before the vote, Senate Majority Leader John Thune expressed support for McMahon, praising her leadership.
Thune emphasized the need to limit bureaucratic control, empower state and local governments, and give teachers more freedom to succeed in their roles.
McMahon’s Background and Role in Trump’s Administration
McMahon is the board chair of the America First Policy Institute, a pro-Trump think tank.
Before her current nomination, McMahon served as the head of the Small Business Administration from 2017 to 2019 and then led the pro-Trump super PAC, America First Action.
Challenges to Closing the Education Department
Despite Trump’s repeated calls to eliminate the Department of Education, dismantling the agency would be a significant challenge. Shutting down the department would require an act of Congress.
The department is responsible for providing federal funding to public K-12 schools nationwide and overseeing a $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio.
Efforts to Reduce the Department’s Size
The Department of Education has already taken steps to reduce its workforce. In an email obtained by CNN, the department offered buyouts of up to $25,000 to eligible employees, urging them to accept the offer by 11:59 p.m. ET on Monday.
This move is part of a broader strategy to reduce the department's size, although the exact target for workforce reduction remains unclear.
While McMahon will be tasked with overseeing the Education Department’s potential transformation, the future of the agency remains uncertain as efforts to eliminate it face significant legislative obstacles.
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Written By HowNHowTo.com