(Alexandria, Virginia) — Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted today to confirm Linda McMahon as the next (and perhaps final) U.S. Secretary of Education:
“Linda McMahon’s confirmation as Secretary of Education marks a much-needed reset in U.S. education policy,” said Gerry Scimeca, Chairman and General Counsel of CASE. “After four disastrous years under Joe Biden and Miguel Cardona—who prioritized culture wars, virtue signaling, and radical social issues over student achievement—Secretary McMahon’s leadership promises to claw back federal bureaucrats’ consolidation of power and restore control where it belongs: with parents, teachers, and state and local officials.
“Like President Trump, Secretary McMahon understands that education policy should foster innovation, choice, and accountability—not stifle it. She brings with her the business acumen, vast experience at the highest levels of government, and a knowledge of the issues necessary to weed out reckless and selective regulation, expand learning options and competition, and rebuild confidence in American education.
“To be sure, Secretary McMahon inherits an agency in disarray. Under her predecessor, the Department targeted career-education institutions with fabricated charges and outrageous penalties; rescinded religious protections for students while enabling hateful protests on campuses; and sought to smother distance learning and successful vendors that help schools deliver online programming—all while pushing unlawful student debt cancellation on a reluctant public. The Biden team’s botched rollout of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) stands as an ugly reminder of how misguided its priorities were—and the real costs its woke agenda had on everyday students.
“President Trump has directed Secretary McMahon to dismantle the Department of Education, which is a reasonable order given how deeply entrenched in progressive dogma the agency has become. Of course, abolishing the Department will require legislative action—and Secretary McMahon has pledged to work with Congress to fulfill the President’s directive.
But there are actions the Secretary can and should take immediately to begin cleaning up the Biden administration’s mess, including:
- Eliminate the Federal Student Aid Office of Enforcement;
- Repeal biased regulations, including the 90/10 and Gainful Employment rules;
- Rescind unjust penalties against career colleges;
- Codify rules to protect distance learning and online programming.
“The senators who voted to confirm Secretary McMahon deserve credit for recognizing the dismal state of U.S. education and acting decisively to instate a leader who has the proven experience to implement reform to make America a global leader again. CASE welcomes Secretary McMahon’s confirmation and looks forward to working with her.”
