Examining the Policies and Priorities of the Department of Education

The House Committee on Education & Workforce held a hearing on May 14, 2026, to examine the policies and priorities of the Department of Education under Secretary Linda McMahon. The discussion focused heavily on procurement-related topics including the implementation of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which introduced a national school choice program funded by private donations with federal tax credits, and the department's budget request for fiscal year 2027. Secretary McMahon highlighted efforts to simplify federal student loan repayment, cap graduate loan amounts, and combat student aid fraud, including the use of AI to detect ghost student fraud. The department has also entered into interagency agreements to co-administer education programs with agencies like the Department of Labor, aiming to improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy. The proposed budget includes a $2 billion mega grant block grant program to give states more flexibility in spending, with specific allocations for literacy and numeracy improvements. Several members raised concerns about cuts to programs serving vulnerable populations, such as TRIO and community schools, and the impact of loan caps on critical professions like nursing. The committee also discussed the department's reduced enforcement activity in civil rights cases and the backlog in student loan forgiveness applications. Secretary McMahon defended the department's actions as efforts to empower states and local communities, improve accountability, and reduce costs. The hearing included multiple exchanges on the legality and impact of transferring program administration to other agencies, the oversight of scholarship granting organizations, and the department's approach to educational equity and civil rights enforcement.