WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee voted to favorably report the nomination of Linda McMahon to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education by a vote of 12 to 11. Her nomination will now move to the Senate floor for a final vote at a later date.
Click here to watch the full executive session.
Before the vote, U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA), chair of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, delivered remarks in support of McMahon’s nomination. Cassidy’s speech as prepared for delivery can be found below:
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will please come to order.
I thank Ms. McMahon for appearing before the Committee last week.
If confirmed, Ms. McMahon has the tall task of reforming a Department of Education that has lost its purpose. For the last four years, the Department focused on everything but student learning. Its bureaucracy and red tape stand in the way of student success.
We need a strong leader at the Department who will get our education system back on track. Ms. McMahon is the right person for the job.
She successfully led large organizations for decades; first as a businesswoman, then as head of the Small Business Administration in President Trump’s first term.
Throughout the nomination process, Ms. McMahon demonstrated a strong vision for the Department of Education. She committed to empowering parents and returning power to states and local communities, which, by the way, are best equipped to address students’ needs.
Ms. McMahon is steadfast in her determination to uphold the true meaning of Title IX, ensuring fairness for women and girls on the field and in the classroom. She will hold colleges and universities accountable to protect all students from discrimination, including Jewish students who have faced antisemitic violence and harassment since October 7.
Ms. McMahon is the partner this committee needs to improve the nation’s education system. If she is confirmed, I look forward to working with her to ensure every child has the opportunity to succeed.
I proudly support Ms. McMahon’s nomination. I urge my colleagues to vote yes.
With that, I recognize Senator Sanders for his opening statement.
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