Commitment Against Cuts: Trump Administration’s Broken Promises on Education Funding

When Linda McMahon testified before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on February 13, 2025, she repeatedly assured lawmakers—both Republicans and Democrats—that the Trump administration would not cut funding for public education. She emphasized that while administrative changes might be made, the vital federal investments supporting students and schools would remain intact.

However, just months later, President Trump and Secretary McMahon have backtracked on that commitment. On May 2, the administration released a budget proposal slashing the U.S. Department of Education’s funding by $12 billion—a staggering 15.3% cut. This betrayal would hurt students, teachers, families, and communities across the country.

The American people do not support this agenda. A bipartisan poll commissioned by All4Ed found that 57% of voters want to increase federal funding for public education, and nearly four in ten would support increased funding even if it meant paying higher taxes. Public education is not partisan. It’s a national priority.

Below are direct quotes from Secretary McMahon’s confirmation hearing pledging to protect education funding:

1. Response to Chairman Bill Cassidy (R-LA)

Chairman Cassidy: If the department is downsized, would the states and localities still receive the federal funding which they currently receive?

Sec. McMahon: Yes.

Chairman Cassidy: OK.

Sec. McMahon: It is not the president’s goal to defund the programs. It is only to have it operate more efficiently.

2. Response to Senator Jon Husted (R-OH)

Sen. Husted: You’re not — and President Trump is not talking about cutting any funding for children. You’re not talking about cutting funding for disabled children, you’re just talking about changing the way that the money gets to these students and schools and that — that you’re committed to that? Is that correct?

Sec. McMahon: That is — that is correct, senator. Thank you very much.

3. Response to Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)

Sen. Hassan: New Hampshire schools rely on federal funding of about $2,000 per student to provide that public education. What would you say to parents in my state who are concerned about the president’s attempt to cut all federal funding to New Hampshire and to eliminate the Department of Education? Are you telling parents that their children should lose access to special education services, for example, or lose access to trained teachers or school nurses?

Sec. McMahon: Well, thank you, senator very much. Let me just object to one point and that is that — that the residents in the state of New Hampshire should not be concerned that federal funding is going to be removed from their schools, how they get that federal funding may change.

4. Response to Senator Edward Markey (D-MA)

Sen. Markey: So will you support — will you — will you oppose any cuts to public education, yes and no?

Sec. McMahon: Well, the president is not — he is not saying that we should cut funding to public education.

Conclusion

The administration’s proposed cuts to public education are a direct violation of the promises made to Congress and the American people. They will cause real harm to students, teachers, and communities across the nation.

Voters overwhelmingly support greater investment in public education—not less. A bipartisan poll commissioned by All4Ed makes it clear: the American people reject these cuts and the extreme agenda they represent.

Congress must reject the Trump administration’s proposed education cuts and stand with students, families, and communities who deserve better.