At a Wednesday budget hearing, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon laid out a bold vision to downsize the Department of Education, eliminate waste, and restore control of schools to states, parents, and local educators. Speaking before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies, McMahon said the department’s “final mission” is to “wind down” federal involvement in education.
McMahon declared that the 2026 budget proposal would reduce federal education funding by more than 15%, cut unnecessary staff, cancel outdated contracts, and eliminate illegal Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) grants. The goal, she said, is to shrink the federal footprint, empower local stakeholders, and align the department with President Donald Trump’s America First education agenda.
“We’re working to make American education great again,” McMahon told lawmakers. She emphasized the need to hold colleges accountable for failed degrees, strengthen parental rights, and ensure safe, fair learning environments. “We hear calls for accountability and more local control,” she said, “and that’s exactly what we’re delivering.”
The hearing highlighted how the department plans to restore fiscal responsibility and public trust. McMahon noted that past administrations allowed bloated bureaucracy and misguided policies to take precedence over student outcomes. Under her leadership, the department is focused on supporting effective, locally-driven solutions.
Subcommittee Chairman Rep. Robert Aderholt praised McMahon’s leadership, saying she “inherited an absolute mess” and applauded her commitment to bold reforms. Aderholt said the department’s direction is a needed course correction and aligns with Trump’s education priorities.
McMahon concluded by reaffirming her mission: to end federal overreach, return education to local hands, and ensure that every child receives a quality, accountable education.
