Linda McMahon, President Trump's nominee for Secretary of Education, affirmed before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee that abolishing the Department of Education would require an act of Congress. During Thursday's hearing, McMahon emphasized the need for collaboration with Congress to develop a plan for the department's future, stating a desire to ensure senators and representatives support any proposed changes.

This exchange arose in response to questioning from Senator Bill Cassidy (R-La.) about the process for dismantling the department. McMahon reiterated the administration's commitment to working with Congress on this issue. Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) also pressed McMahon on the matter, seeking confirmation that any move to abolish the Department of Education would necessitate congressional involvement. McMahon unequivocally confirmed that the department, being established by Congress, could only be dissolved through the same legislative process.

Senator Susan Collins (R-Maine) raised concerns about the potential impact on programs like TRIO, which supports first-generation college students. McMahon acknowledged the issues with recent regulatory actions affecting TRIO applicants and emphasized her commitment to streamlining bureaucratic processes and improving oversight within the department, if confirmed. McMahon's nomination comes as President Trump has publicly expressed his desire to eliminate the Department of Education, even suggesting that McMahon should work towards making her position redundant. He reiterated this stance before the hearing, criticizing the department's spending and its ranking among other nations' education systems. He called the department a "con job," citing the high cost per pupil compared to the U.S.'s international educational ranking.

This article was written by Jamie Joseph, a political writer covering the Senate for Fox News Digital.