[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 40 (Monday, March 3, 2025)]
[Senate]
[Page S1445]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                      Nomination of Linda McMahon

  Mr. GRASSLEY. Mr. President, the Senate will soon vote to confirm 
Linda McMahon to be Secretary of Education.
  I know that some people feel that the Secretary of Education should 
have extensive experience in a school system; however, it is important 
to remember that education is still mostly a State and local 
responsibility. There is no such thing as a Federal superintendent of 
schools. The U.S. Department of Education doesn't run any schools. Our 
many public school systems in this country do not report to Washington, 
DC, and Washington also has no authority over what is taught in our 
schools around the country.
  The job description of a Secretary of Education is to manage a 
bureaucracy that runs a number of funding programs. By all accounts, 
Linda McMahon did a great job running the Small Business Administration 
in the last Trump administration. I have no reason to believe that she 
cannot run the Department of Education. I think she understands the 
difference between the State and Federal role in education.
  I also expect that she understands the difference between the 
executive and legislative branches when it comes to the serious 
policymaking of education. Congress passes the laws and holds the power 
of the purse. We have also the responsibility to make sure that laws 
are faithfully executed by the executive branch of government. I expect 
Linda McMahon to respond to all the congressional inquiries in a timely 
and responsive manner.