On Thursday, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing to consider the nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (ED). In her opening remarks, McMahon pledged to deliver on education-related campaign promises, including focusing on parents and limiting the federal role in education. A question-and-answer session began with HELP Committee Chair Bill Cassidy (R-LA), who asked about early diagnosis of dyslexia, whereby McMahon committed to working with the Chair on his priority. Among many questions related to the Trump campaign promise to shutter ED, Senator Collins (R-ME) asked how oversight and administration of education programs would continue under a reorganization or closure of the Department. McMahon remarked that she would examine whether laws such as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) “might be better served” in other agencies. The plan about other laws was less transparent, and McMahon did offer that ED cannot be eliminated without an act of Congress. Sen. Hassan (D-NH) spent much of her time focused on IDEA, stating, “It takes national commitment to get it [implementing IDEA] done. And that is why so many people are so concerned about this proposal to eliminate the Department. Because they think kids will once again be shoved aside and especially kids with disabilities.” Follow up questions noted the terminations this week of ED employees whose statuses were provisional. McMahon replied that she is not yet privy to personnel practices at ED. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) raised the issue of private school choice and the impact of such models in rural areas with only one school. She asked McMahon what her commitment is to public schools and the reply was “public schools are the bedrock of our society.” In regard to a recent Executive Order on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI), Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) asked how a school knows whether it is running a “DEI” program, and noted that the confusion around the definition has resulted in Department of Defense schools halting Black History Month activities. An area of agreement across the aisle and with the nominee revolved around shared commitment to promoting and supporting career and technical education that leads to employment. Chairman Cassidy also announced the Committee will vote on McMahon’s nomination on February 20.

To view the hearing or download McMahon’s statement, go here.

COPAA has an active alert to Congress urging opposition to proposals that would close the U.S. Department of Education or reduce education funding.