On Thursday, February 20, 2025. Linda McMahon’s nomination for U.S. Secretary of Education advanced with the approval of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which voted 12-11 along party lines.
McMahon previously appeared before the committee February 13th for a 2 ½ hour confirmation hearing where she spoke of her priorities for expanding school choice and skills-based learning, providing more decision-making power to local schools and parents, and protecting students from discrimination and harassment.
McMahon also talked about her openness to making sweeping changes at the U.S. Department of Education, including moving programs like special education oversight and civil rights investigations to other federal agencies. In fact, she said that special education could be housed in other agencies that do not oversee education matters, like the U.S. Health and Human Services Department, which will be led by Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
McMahon formerly served as administrator of the Small Business Administration for two years in President Donald Trump’s first administration. She was previously president and CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment. She has no degree in education and thus has never taught in a classroom.
A full Senate vote on McMahon’s confirmation is forthcoming.
Click here for live video of the February 13th hearing.
Source: Higher Ed. Dive