Education Secretary Linda McMahon gave unexpected remarks in the spirit of nonpartisanship at the House Democrats' press conference on Wednesday, but she did not answer when pressed on the timing of the Department of Education shutting its doors.
McMahon stopped by the Democrats' press conference outside the building for the Education Department, which she has promised to dismantle in line with President Donald Trump's recent executive order. Beforehand, she met with Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., and at least 10 other Democratic members to discuss concerns over recent layoffs. The department announced last month it was initiating its reduction in force mission, impacting nearly 50% of its workforce.
"I just want to express my gratitude to all of these folks who came today so that we get to have an open discussion about what I believe is one of the most important things that we can have a discussion on on our action in our country, and that is the education of our young people," McMahon said Wednesday. "As Representative Takano said as we were ending the meeting, which I thought was incredibly appropriate, and that is that this is not a partisan issue. This is about the children of America, and it's the next generation to generation after that. And if we want to have our leaders, if we want to have that next, group of engineers and doctors and lawyers and plumbers, electricians and HVAC operators, then we need to focus on how they can best have their education."
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"And I believe, and I know the president does believe this as well, the best education is that that is closest to the child, where teachers and parents, local superintendents — working together and local school boards to develop the curriculum for those students — is the best way that it can happen," she said. "Funding from the United States government will continue through the programs, that is, that have already been established, and I will look forward to continuing to work with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle. And I welcome the fact that these folks came today and expressed their concerns and shared in an open, collegial format their concerns and how we can lead now to work more together. That's the way it ought to operate. And I'm very happy to have had them here."
As McMahon concluded her remarks and attempted to turn the event back over to Democrats, Takano interjected with a question for the secretary.
"When are you going to shut down this building?" he asked her in front of news cameras.
"Well, we've had our discussions already, so thank you all," McMahon said, leaving the podium and walking back into the building.
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"As you see, she's not answering the question when she's going to shut down the Department of Education," Takano told reporters. "Now she doesn't have a plan. And while she doesn't have a plan, they're continuing to look at firing people, reduction, and RIFs, reduction in force."
Takano told reporters that during their meeting McMahon expressed "ambiguity" regarding when she would carry out Trump's campaign promise of shuttering the Department of Education. He said she vowed to consult appropriate statute.
Takano also noted that McMahon said during her Senate confirmation hearing that she would consult with Congress as far as when it would be "lights out" for the department.
Congress established the Department of Education in 1979 and will most likely need to approve its dismantling. Republicans have floated legislation to achieve that goal.
Trump signed an executive order on March 20 to significantly scale down the department while maintaining some of its core functions. It was unclear whether the department would continue to manage its $1.6 trillion federal student loan portfolio, as the order's language suggested bank functions could be moved to a more suitable entity. Privatization seems to remain on the table for the administration.
"I have to say that the Secretary indicated more than once, that before she moved any functions of the department to other departments and the other place that, she was looking carefully at what the statute allows her to do," Takano said Wednesday. "That was refreshing information that the secretary relayed to all of us, and we certainly hope she sticks to what she told us today."
"I think part of the story of today is, you know, [the] president's campaign promise to shut this department down, is a lot of fluff. It's. You can't, it's illegal. He can't do it by law," he added.
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