WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Senate is expected to confirm Linda McMahon as education secretary today, following last week’s 51-47 procedural vote along party lines that advanced her nomination to a final confirmation vote.
Nadine Chabrier, senior policy counsel at the Center for Responsible Lending (CRL), issued the following statement:
Linda McMahon’s confirmation raises pressing concerns about the future of the Department of Education and its critical role in ensuring equal access to quality education. Dismantling the department would roll back decades of progress in educational equity, leaving national policies, accountability measures and financial aid programs fragmented and inconsistent across states. Any efforts to weaken or eliminate the department would jeopardize the progress made in expanding educational opportunities for all students, particularly those from low-income and marginalized communities.
As McMahon assumes leadership, we urge her to protect and strengthen key programs such as Pell Grants, federal student loan repayment plans and accountability measures that ensure institutions serve Americans fairly and effectively. These initiatives provide a crucial lifeline for students striving for academic and financial success.
The stakes for America’s students, families and educators could not be higher. We call on McMahon to uphold her responsibility to all students and commit to policies that expand rather than restrict educational opportunity.
###
Press Contact: Vincenza Previte vincenza.previte@responsiblelending.org