Education Secretary Linda McMahon appeared before a Senate Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday morning to defend President Trump's fiscal 2027 budget request for the Department of Education, an agency that has been largely hollowed out since Trump returned to office last year. The hearing, which began at 10 a.m. EDT, is the latest flashpoint in the administration's ongoing campaign to dismantle the federal education bureaucracy and shift authority to the states.
The proposed budget seeks $76.5 billion for fiscal 2027, a reduction of $2.3 billion from the 2026 enacted level. The cuts come as the administration has already transferred many Education Department programs to other federal agencies, including the Small Business Administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, and the State Department. The stated goal, according to the White House, is to break up the federal education apparatus and return control to state and local governments.
McMahon's testimony is part of a broader pattern of Trump administration officials facing skeptical lawmakers over budget priorities. Earlier this week, NASA Chief Isaacman faced Senate grilling on the agency's $18.8 billion budget and moon mission plans, highlighting the administration's push to reallocate resources toward space exploration while cutting domestic programs. Similarly, European NATO spending surges as the U.S. cuts its own defense budget, signaling a shift in international burden-sharing.
The Education Department's near-shutdown has been a signature achievement for Trump, who campaigned on eliminating the agency. However, critics argue that the move undermines federal oversight of civil rights in education, special education funding, and student loan programs. Democrats on the appropriations panel are expected to press McMahon on how the administration plans to ensure accountability and equity without a dedicated federal agency.
McMahon is likely to argue that the budget reflects a leaner, more efficient approach to education policy, with states having greater flexibility to tailor programs to local needs. She may also point to the transfer of key functions—such as student loan management to the Treasury Department and civil rights enforcement to the Justice Department—as evidence that the administration has not abandoned federal responsibilities.
The hearing comes amid a tense political climate, with the White House press secretary linking a recent shooting at the White House Correspondents' Association dinner to Democrats' anti-Trump rhetoric, a claim that has drawn sharp rebukes from both parties. Meanwhile, the suspect in that shooting faces court Monday, and Trump has blamed the incident on anti-Christian hatred as charges are filed.
For now, McMahon's focus is on selling the budget to a divided Congress. With Republicans holding a slim majority in both chambers, the administration's education cuts face an uncertain path. The Senate Appropriations Committee will ultimately decide whether to approve, modify, or reject the proposal, setting the stage for a budget battle that could extend into the summer.
Watch the live video above for ongoing coverage of the hearing.
