Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Wednesday defended to House members the Trump administration's request to cut 15 percent from her department's budget.

McMahon at times had contentious moments with members as she emphasized the request for a $12 billion cut as President Trump wants her to carry out the federal agency’s “final mission.”

“Madam Secretary, the legacy you will be leaving is that ‘I shut down the Department of Education.’ How we educate our children determines not just their future, but our own. But I think it's a sad legacy you will leave,” said Rep. Madeleine Dean (D-Pa.)

At the beginning of the hearing, McMahon said her three priorities for the department are school choice, literacy rates and returning education to the states.

“The fiscal year '26 budget will take a significant step toward that goal. We seek to shrink federal bureaucracy, save taxpayer money and empower states who best know their local needs to manage education in this country,” McMahon said.

In his........

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