WATCH: During key Appropriations Subcommittee hearing, Sen. Reed takes on Trump’s Education Secretary Linda McMahon, bluntly stating: “You are shrinking educational opportunity in the United States for a whole generation and also shrinking our ability to compete internationally and globally.”

WASHINGTON, DC – A strong public education system is vital to the success of children, families, communities, and our country.

That is why U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) opposed the nomination of U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon, a professional wrestling magnate with no meaningful education policy experience, who was tapped by President Donald Trump to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and slash funding for public education. 

Today, during a hearing of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies to review the President’s FY2026 Budget Request for the U.S. Department of Education, Senator Reed took Secretary McMahon to task over the Trump Administration’s efforts to slash funding for public education and shift federal education responsibilities to states.

“From banning books to bullying colleges to cancelling grants and slashing money for K-12 and financial aid, the Trump Administration gets an F when it comes to supporting education.  Donald Trump is the first American president to declare war on education and weaponize major civil rights laws to undermine equal opportunity.  We must fight back to protect public schools and ensure every student – regardless of zip code – has the opportunity to learn, grow, and reach their full potential.  Trump’s budget would shortchange today’s students to pay for a bigger tax windfall for the wealthy.  Congress must oppose this budget and pass a strong education funding bill that prioritizes students, supports teachers, and strengthens communities because our economy and our future depends on it,” said Reed. 

The Trump Administration is recommending a total of $66.7 billion for all U.S. Department of Education activities, down from $79.6 billion that was allocated last year, which would be a nearly $12 billion cut to education, or about 15 percent less than its current funding level.

The Trump Administration proposes cutting about $6 billion from programs for K-12 schools, with another $4.3 billion in cuts proposed for higher education, according to the Committee for Education Funding, a nonprofit coalition of education advocates.  It also eliminates funding to support English language learners, grants for education research, and preparation programs for teachers and school leaders.

At the K-12 level, Trump’s proposed cuts would gut evidence-based reading instruction, professional development for educators, supports for English-language learners as well as music, art, STEM, afterschool, and summer learning programs.  It would completely eliminate adult education, cutting off the pathway for millions of working adults who need to improve their literacy skills or earn a high school credential.

The Trump budget also takes aim at rewriting special education law and targets programs that offer preschool opportunities for students with disabilities; information centers that help parents navigate special education law and policy; and technology tools that support instruction for students with disabilities and learning challenges.

Federal funds constitute approximately 14 percent of public school budgets nationwide.

During the hearing, Reed took aim at the Trump Administration’s destructive, partisan budget which could be used to weaponize the U.S. Department of Education against states.  Reed told McMahon directly: “You are shrinking educational opportunity in the United States for a whole generation and also shrinking our ability to compete internationally and globally.”

When it comes to higher education, Trump aims to lower the maximum Pell Grant by $1,685 for the 2026–27 academic year and takes aim at Federal Work-Study, which provides part-time jobs to students who need help paying for college. Under the program, the federal government covers up to 75 percent of students’ wages.  Trump’s proposal calls for a $980 million reduction in Work-Study funding for the program, which was appropriated $1.23 billion in fiscal year 2024.  Trump is also trying to eliminate TRIO, which helps students in middle school through college navigate academic and financial barriers; GEAR UP, which helps low-income students prepare for postsecondary education; and the Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, which assists undergraduate students who have “exceptional financial need.” The program was allocated $910 million in fiscal 2024 — all of which would be eliminated under Trump’s budget.

During the hearing, Reed and McMahon had the following exchange about how educations cuts would negatively impact the country:

Sen. Reed: Well, it is a significant cut. And …

Sec. McMahon: To be more responsible.

Sen. Reed: To be more responsible? Your responsibility amounts to just surrendering.

Sec. McMahon: Sorry, sir?

Sen. Reed: Surrendering. We have this crisis of education and literacy, all of these factors. What we will do is pull back and let the states do it.

Sec. McMahon: No, we will spend it more responsibly.

Sen. Reed: I doubt it seriously.

Sec. McMahon: Let’s hope we do.

Sen. Reed: Well, ‘Hope,’ as someone said, is not a plan.