Education Secretary McMahon Testifies Before Congress on Plan to Shift Authority from Federal Department of Education

D.C. and return authority to where it belongs to parents, teachers and local leaders. She declared that the administration is delivering on that mandate.

"Today I can confidently attest that we are delivering on the vision of educational renewal that for decades many promised, but none delivered," McMahon said in her opening statement. The secretary added that when President Trump's administration makes promises, it keeps them.

"We've been clear: Shifting authority back to the states will not come at the expense of essential federal support and programs, much of which predate the department itself," she stated.

McMahon told lawmakers that with their partnership the administration would unleash momentous opportunity for every child to realize their God-given potential. McMahon pointed to core academic shortcomings as evidence that change is required. "The most important thing we can do for our children is to make sure they can read and do math," she said.

Only 30 percent or even a little less of eighth graders and fourth graders can read at proficient level, McMahon said. The Department of Education is 46 years old.

D.C. is described as costing $3 trillion. A photograph of Linda McMahon was taken on Friday, March 6, 2026, during a "Saving College Sports" roundtable in the East Room of the White House.

U.S. flag and Department of Education flags were photographed outside the department's headquarters on March 06, 2025, in Washington, DC. Linda McMahon is the Education Department Secretary.