Linda McMahon challenged by Democrats over US Education Department cuts

WASHINGTON

US Education Secretary Linda McMahon was challenged by Democratic lawmakers Wednesday for a request to cut the agency's funding.

"We're putting forward a budget request that reduces department funding by more than 15%," McMahon said during her testimony before a House Appropriations subcommittee.

"Our goal is clear: make education better, fairer and more accountable by ending federal overreach and empowering families, schools and states who best know the needs of their students," she told lawmakers.

McMahon said she has three priorities: school choice, literacy rates and returning education to the states.

She pledged to uphold the law in the Trump administration’s push to eliminate her agency.

Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, said: "This budget, in my view, should be described as leaving every child behind."

DeLauro said McMahon and President Donald Trump are "explicitly" seeking to eliminate the Department of Education. "But let me be clear with you. You will not have the partnership of Congress in your efforts to destroy the Department of Education and eliminate public education in this nation," DeLauro said.

The lawmaker asked whether she is planning to break the law by "impounding congressionally appropriated funds?”

“We are continuing, or not continuing, some funds as we look at them. ... As we go forward in the budget, I am happy to get back to you," McMahon responded.

“Yes or no -- you’re going to abide by the law?” DeLauro interrupted.

"We’re going to abide by the law," McMahon said.

Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman said the laws "don't mean anything" to the Trump administration.

"It isn’t a yes or no, but I will not respond to any questions based on the theory that this administration doesn’t care anything about the law and operates outside it," McMahon responded.

Bonnie replied: "You can say anything you want, your rhetoric means nothing to me. What means something to me is the actions of this administration.

"From the President of the United States conducting himself in a corrupt manner to his family enriching him and himself corruptly. … I’m telling you, the Department of Education is one of the most important departments in this country and you should feel shameful to be engaged with an administration that doesn’t give a damn," she said.