Secretary of Education Linda McMahon News Tracker
Education Secretary McMahon Abruptly Ends COVID-19 Relief Funds for States, Leaving Billions Unspent
In a surprising move, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced on Friday that states' time to spend remaining COVID-19 relief funds had abruptly come to an end. This decision affects nearly $3 billion in unspent pandemic aid, potentially leaving many states and school districts in financial limbo.
McMahon, who was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, in a party-line vote, has wasted no time in implementing President Trump's sweeping education vision. In her first address to Department employees, she outlined her "final mission" to overhaul the agency, emphasizing a push to return education oversight to states and empower parents in educational decision-making.
The Secretary's recent action regarding COVID relief funds has sent shockwaves through the education community. In a letter to state education chiefs, McMahon stated that the additional time previously granted "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." This decision primarily affects funds from the last round of COVID relief, approximately $130 billion approved in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The abrupt cancellation of extensions has left many states scrambling. Texas and Pennsylvania, for instance, stand to lose over $200 million each in unspent funds. Several other states, including Ohio, New York, and Tennessee, have over $100 million at stake. The decision has drawn criticism from state education leaders and advocacy groups, who argue that the sudden change could halt ongoing efforts to address pandemic-related learning loss and other educational initiatives.
McMahon's rationale for the decision includes concerns about potential misuse of funds. A senior department official, speaking anonymously, cited examples such as a $1 million window replacement project and an order for "glow balls" as instances of spending not aligned with current student needs. However, specific details about these expenditures were not provided.
The Secretary's actions align with her broader vision for the Department of Education, which she has described as focused on "advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems." McMahon has pledged to empower states and districts to have more say in what works for students, rather than relying on "bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C."
This latest development follows a series of significant changes at the Department since McMahon took office. These include tightening the process for reimbursement of pandemic funds and the dismissal of 16 staff members from the office responsible for processing payments.
As the education community grapples with the implications of this decision, many are calling on McMahon to reconsider. State leaders argue that the abrupt change will impact ongoing efforts to support students and could strain state and local budgets. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting further clarification and potential adjustments to this policy shift.
McMahon, who was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, in a party-line vote, has wasted no time in implementing President Trump's sweeping education vision. In her first address to Department employees, she outlined her "final mission" to overhaul the agency, emphasizing a push to return education oversight to states and empower parents in educational decision-making.
The Secretary's recent action regarding COVID relief funds has sent shockwaves through the education community. In a letter to state education chiefs, McMahon stated that the additional time previously granted "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." This decision primarily affects funds from the last round of COVID relief, approximately $130 billion approved in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The abrupt cancellation of extensions has left many states scrambling. Texas and Pennsylvania, for instance, stand to lose over $200 million each in unspent funds. Several other states, including Ohio, New York, and Tennessee, have over $100 million at stake. The decision has drawn criticism from state education leaders and advocacy groups, who argue that the sudden change could halt ongoing efforts to address pandemic-related learning loss and other educational initiatives.
McMahon's rationale for the decision includes concerns about potential misuse of funds. A senior department official, speaking anonymously, cited examples such as a $1 million window replacement project and an order for "glow balls" as instances of spending not aligned with current student needs. However, specific details about these expenditures were not provided.
The Secretary's actions align with her broader vision for the Department of Education, which she has described as focused on "advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems." McMahon has pledged to empower states and districts to have more say in what works for students, rather than relying on "bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C."
This latest development follows a series of significant changes at the Department since McMahon took office. These include tightening the process for reimbursement of pandemic funds and the dismissal of 16 staff members from the office responsible for processing payments.
As the education community grapples with the implications of this decision, many are calling on McMahon to reconsider. State leaders argue that the abrupt change will impact ongoing efforts to support students and could strain state and local budgets. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting further clarification and potential adjustments to this policy shift.
- Broadcast on:
- 01 Apr 2025
In a surprising move, U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon announced on Friday that states' time to spend remaining COVID-19 relief funds had abruptly come to an end. This decision affects nearly $3 billion in unspent pandemic aid, potentially leaving many states and school districts in financial limbo.
McMahon, who was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, in a party-line vote, has wasted no time in implementing President Trump's sweeping education vision. In her first address to Department employees, she outlined her "final mission" to overhaul the agency, emphasizing a push to return education oversight to states and empower parents in educational decision-making.
The Secretary's recent action regarding COVID relief funds has sent shockwaves through the education community. In a letter to state education chiefs, McMahon stated that the additional time previously granted "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." This decision primarily affects funds from the last round of COVID relief, approximately $130 billion approved in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The abrupt cancellation of extensions has left many states scrambling. Texas and Pennsylvania, for instance, stand to lose over $200 million each in unspent funds. Several other states, including Ohio, New York, and Tennessee, have over $100 million at stake. The decision has drawn criticism from state education leaders and advocacy groups, who argue that the sudden change could halt ongoing efforts to address pandemic-related learning loss and other educational initiatives.
McMahon's rationale for the decision includes concerns about potential misuse of funds. A senior department official, speaking anonymously, cited examples such as a $1 million window replacement project and an order for "glow balls" as instances of spending not aligned with current student needs. However, specific details about these expenditures were not provided.
The Secretary's actions align with her broader vision for the Department of Education, which she has described as focused on "advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems." McMahon has pledged to empower states and districts to have more say in what works for students, rather than relying on "bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C."
This latest development follows a series of significant changes at the Department since McMahon took office. These include tightening the process for reimbursement of pandemic funds and the dismissal of 16 staff members from the office responsible for processing payments.
As the education community grapples with the implications of this decision, many are calling on McMahon to reconsider. State leaders argue that the abrupt change will impact ongoing efforts to support students and could strain state and local budgets. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting further clarification and potential adjustments to this policy shift.
McMahon, who was confirmed as the 13th Secretary of Education on March 3, 2025, in a party-line vote, has wasted no time in implementing President Trump's sweeping education vision. In her first address to Department employees, she outlined her "final mission" to overhaul the agency, emphasizing a push to return education oversight to states and empower parents in educational decision-making.
The Secretary's recent action regarding COVID relief funds has sent shockwaves through the education community. In a letter to state education chiefs, McMahon stated that the additional time previously granted "was not justified" and that states and school districts "have had ample time to liquidate obligations." This decision primarily affects funds from the last round of COVID relief, approximately $130 billion approved in March 2021 as part of the American Rescue Plan Act.
The abrupt cancellation of extensions has left many states scrambling. Texas and Pennsylvania, for instance, stand to lose over $200 million each in unspent funds. Several other states, including Ohio, New York, and Tennessee, have over $100 million at stake. The decision has drawn criticism from state education leaders and advocacy groups, who argue that the sudden change could halt ongoing efforts to address pandemic-related learning loss and other educational initiatives.
McMahon's rationale for the decision includes concerns about potential misuse of funds. A senior department official, speaking anonymously, cited examples such as a $1 million window replacement project and an order for "glow balls" as instances of spending not aligned with current student needs. However, specific details about these expenditures were not provided.
The Secretary's actions align with her broader vision for the Department of Education, which she has described as focused on "advancing education freedom, not building up government-run systems." McMahon has pledged to empower states and districts to have more say in what works for students, rather than relying on "bureaucratic edicts from Washington, D.C."
This latest development follows a series of significant changes at the Department since McMahon took office. These include tightening the process for reimbursement of pandemic funds and the dismissal of 16 staff members from the office responsible for processing payments.
As the education community grapples with the implications of this decision, many are calling on McMahon to reconsider. State leaders argue that the abrupt change will impact ongoing efforts to support students and could strain state and local budgets. The situation remains fluid, with stakeholders eagerly awaiting further clarification and potential adjustments to this policy shift.