Linda McMahon punches back at senators questioning Education Department cuts
Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended proposed cuts and restructuring within the Department of Education during a tense Senate hearing, asserting that services for students would remain intact despite staff reductions and agency shifts. She argued that moving programs like special education to other departments would not diminish support, while facing bipartisan concern over the impact on vulnerable students. McMahon also disputed proposed funding cuts to the Office for Civil Rights, stating she does not agree with the 35% reduction despite the administration's budget proposal.
- ▪The Trump administration's budget proposes $16 billion for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, an increase of $539 million from the previous year.
- ▪More than half of the staff at the Office for Civil Rights, including many lawyers, were fired in March 2025, and seven of its 12 regional offices were closed.
- ▪McMahon stated she does not agree with the proposed 35% funding cut to the Office for Civil Rights, even though it appears in the administration's budget.
- ▪Special education advocates oppose moving IDEA enforcement to agencies like Health and Human Services, fearing it would treat education as a health issue rather than an academic right.
- ▪Sen. Patty Murray criticized the relocation of special education programs, saying it sends a message that disabled students' health is valued more than their education.
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| Canonical URL | https://www.npr.org/2026/04/28/nx-s1-5802968/education-secretary-linda-mcmahon-senate-hearing |
| Publication time | Tue, 28 Apr 2026 18:18:15 -0400 |
| Retrieval time | 2026-04-28T22:31:54.193Z |
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Education Linda McMahon punches back at senators questioning Education Department cuts April 28, 20266:18 PM ET By Jonaki Mehta , Sequoia Carrillo Education Secretary Linda McMahon shared plans Tuesday to hire more lawyers to work on civil rights after about half of the staff, including many lawyers, at the Office for Civil Rights were fired last year. Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images hide caption toggle caption Aaron Schwartz/Bloomberg via Getty Images In a fiery hearing Tuesday, U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon defended her work dismantling the very department she leads, with Senate Democrats saying the results have made life harder for parents and students.
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