11.20.24

Ranking Member Scott Statement on Nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of Education

WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President-elect Trump nominated Linda McMahon to serve as the next Secretary of the Department of Education. McMahon is chair of the board of the America First Policy Institute, which advocates for school choice and the use of public funds — through vouchers and tax credits — for private educational institutions.

“The vast majority of America’s students attend a public school.  As such, the Secretary of Education has the enormous responsibility of ensuring all students have the opportunity to access a high-quality education that leads to a rewarding career. Ms. McMahon does not have a long history of work in education, so I will wait to pass judgement on her nomination until she has been fully vetted by the Senate.

“However, I am staunchly opposed to President-elect Trump’s education agenda which seeks to abolish the Department of Education, eliminate funding for low-income and rural K-12 schools, scrap the expansion of school meals, and make it more difficult for student borrowers to repay their loans. If Ms. McMahon is indeed in support of this agenda and will work to actively dismantle the progress of the Biden-Harris Administration, I will not support her nomination.

“I will always work to find common ground when I can and advance policies that support America’s students. But I will never compromise on the fundamental principle that education is a right which must be made available to all on equal terms.”

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