[{"_1":2,"_122":-5,"_123":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,98,110],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},"mediaId",6231611,"mediaKeyId","3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e","parentId",3429042,"title","Members press secretary on staff cuts, rehiring and outside influence after Musk meetings","audioSeconds",192,"startMs",3620000,"endMs",3812000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e&start=3620&end=3812","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e/thumbnail_3620000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6231611/Members-press-secretary-on-staff-cuts-rehiring-and-outside-influence-after-Musk-meetings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231611-0ba625035489fc08e2c71cc63b4ac4fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992941&Signature=RVHMVFBZv4b89HOb5KMzdhbXT9llVyHdDNMwVVIOOg9T8y0TXmreWlXU0KxXE5yQaYIjuOyIUP9GTy8W9DkT5GNqHn7POTrQAc~C6AZ9RPlSsqyZZcX2WVH6CcEle1nNO5Nrno8jyi0yYGWCilSlSZe1SjOOWXv9qPSQ9mVlpL4adGrdZtZqKnURr9fGy2fyCChyP20ZehU~mWTJYK~7XepNnp4R~MPE8vHW7Z3-xRiD5YQu8SCnsOISR6~9wMqr7JZm659ouGEp6PnW58Rg~SoTBwib~wro6-tufPQGmtkelf5l2hPX2hQ0Si96EuLZGUBhwZ2k059U7XwPZhDsig__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","U.S. House Committee on Appropriations","date","2025-05-21T17:02:31Z","article","Republican and Democratic members of the House Appropriations subcommittee questioned Education Secretary McMahon about recent staffing reductions at the department, the rehiring of some previously fired employees, and her meetings with private-sector figures including Elon Musk.

Representative Mark Pokan (identified in the hearing transcript with variations of his name) asked whether the secretary or outside advisors had made firing and rehiring decisions. McMahon said much of the restructuring occurred before she took office but added, “I run the department. Doge does not run the department.” She said she had met with Mr. Musk several times, both during the transition and after, and estimated she had met him “about 3 to 4 times” since taking the job.

Members raised concerns about background checks, whether outside hires had education credentials or classroom experience, and whether any contractors or new employees had access to sensitive borrower data. McMahon said those who are government employees are vetted “through the same process than any other government employee would” and that she did not know at the hearing the exact educational qualifications of specific hires but would follow up.

Why it matters: Staffing and contractor relationships affect departmental capacity to administer programs, protect sensitive data and carry out statutory responsibilities. Lawmakers pressed for transparency about the department’s hiring, vetting and contract arrangements.

Details and debate: Members said the department appeared to have fired thousands of employees and later reinstated some; McMahon said roughly 74 employees had been brought back since she returned. She described workforce reductions as part of a restructuring aimed at aligning staff with policy priorities.

Next steps: Lawmakers asked the secretary to provide details on hires, rehired employees, background checks, and whether any contracts with companies affiliated with private-sector advisers exist; McMahon said she would “get back to you” with more information.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Budget Hearing – U.S. Department of Education","oneSentenceSummary","Several lawmakers asked Education Secretary McMahon about large staff reductions, rehiring of some employees, and her meetings with Elon Musk; McMahon said most restructuring preceded her and that she 'runs the department.'","taxTitle","Appropriations: House Committee, Standing Committees - House & Senate, Congressional Hearings Compilation, Legislative, Federal","taxId",1832,"location","","headline","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6231616,"Education Secretary says department is resuming collections; committee members raise concerns about defaults and servicing confusion",1348,850000,2198000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e&start=850&end=2198","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e/thumbnail_850000.jpg","/articles/6231616/Education-Secretary-says-department-is-resuming-collections-committee-members-raise-concerns-about-defaults-and-servicing-confusion","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231616-3c57c13149993d3ca4dee65437ab89e0/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992941&Signature=RuUSIibQTdBrR5QdjBXM95GouoTulMTRTH9NgwayW4ycOREcrnnSaZAdKLbaBooUaMxbCbNtGTlEoroOHC6vp2i17tY5HbRU9fEm1aGUHiPOzlEi275FBl~E69wra6GIsl7gX0IbDQ0yOiuyY69NYJ64sXPrtajLxhePo5buGFW8p4Q9IRedt~-SvFrng57u7R4i7UIjZOEiOSfdoYN-99eSQl9lUsXL0RR8vKIINuDCosQ6Yadm1r7iUOKTANFo4ZXxMTAgWEBNVH9CJYRvAFiqTXygWJmMVUpcZvvmUpkOGVNrQorCyGmaGVTV4AuQvRFEGU1csjeTyhLV25XUew__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Education Secretary McMahon told the House Appropriations subcommittee that the Department of Education has begun steps to return federal student loan borrowers to repayment following pandemic-era pauses and previous administration actions that created “confusion in the loan servicing system.”

McMahon said the department published payment-option information at studentaid.gov, sent letters on May 5 and, since those letters, has collected “almost a hundred million dollars” in back payments through voluntary payments and restructuring. She said the department is “on the right track” to resume collections.

Members said the problem is large: the subcommittee cited testimony that roughly one-quarter of the federal student loan portfolio is late or in default and that only about 38 percent of borrowers are in repayment. Chairman Aderholt and other members asked how the department is directing struggling borrowers to available repayment options and whether the department will protect borrower data amid staffing and contractor changes.

Why it matters: About 43 million borrowers were affected by the pandemic pause on payments; a substantial share remain delinquent or in default, which has financial consequences for borrowers and potential budget implications for federal loan portfolios.

Details and debate: McMahon framed the messaging under the prior administration as confusing and said borrowers had been told forgiveness was “always on the horizon,” which discouraged voluntary payments. She also said the department is coordinating with Treasury on collection efforts. Members sought more detail on outreach to struggling borrowers and on how servicing issues will be handled as repayment resumes.

Next steps: Committee members asked for more detail on borrower outreach, default-prevention counseling and the department’s operational plans for servicers as repayment restarts.","Secretary McMahon said the department sent repayment letters May 5 and has collected nearly $100 million since then while members warned nearly one in four borrowers are delinquent or in default and asked how the department will support struggling borrowers.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":42,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_47":92,"_49":93,"_51":94,"_53":95,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":96,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":97,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6231621,"Committee presses secretary after administration proposes eliminating TRIO and GEAR UP",5313000,5505000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e&start=5313&end=5505","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e/thumbnail_5313000.jpg","/articles/6231621/Committee-presses-secretary-after-administration-proposes-eliminating-TRIO-and-GEAR-UP","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231621-d48acb0f2c3ff0eacaf89370a97c1054/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992941&Signature=HsXbx6EGq628vYvX5aX55M8ZJvP4f9sb6nv5gddWMy6eJMEPIaRiH4TWDmzpKrfV6K90iypJVD2ahHYLYTpudKQDpaFGbTaUOv4ZeP~y8E3LKGSn~DpPLjwr6PeROcuEvd9mA7gzeBTFNuUvY0iWuS4k8Nuy6UywD8h6MmzbU6Q68QULiqEPwgklIpDx7ClP-6doLwsZhPAy7HDyix6fEmJmOs-E8HjF0wqfPtfDXsQt5u~0d5gbH7EoELcUU8GWYrQBjqkqeSjZPmVlqoCmd9VmlphJvl~no9wFSn-r~FeaXpn6PKguT98s8aFToLtWQPLOEaLWTgzBYnZRl7F5gg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Rosa DeLauro and several Democrats pressed Education Secretary McMahon on the administration's proposal to eliminate longstanding federal college-access programs including TRIO and GEAR UP.

McMahon said the administration believes colleges and other institutions now conduct more outreach into communities and that some TRIO activities include expenses she viewed as unrelated to college access. “I saw in one example TRIO recently, that one child was brought on board and talked about going to college, but part of the TRIO program was taking them to Disney World,” McMahon said, arguing some uses warrant review.

Lawmakers countered that TRIO and GEAR UP are bipartisan, long-standing programs that advance college access for first-generation and low-income students; Representative Mark Simpson noted TRIO began as three programs and now supports roughly 800,000 potential first-generation college-goers. Members asked whether continuation awards for TRIO were delayed (grants expired May 31); McMahon said she believed continuation awards would be issued by July 1 and offered to confirm.

Why it matters: TRIO and GEAR UP are federally funded college-access programs targeted at low-income, first-generation and underrepresented students. Eliminating or restructuring them would affect outreach, counseling, and financial aid navigation services in high-need communities.

Details and debate: Committee members requested the department’s evaluative studies and evidence base for elimination or consolidation. McMahon said outreach by institutions has increased and suggested reimagining workforce and career-technical pathways as part of broader reforms.

Next steps: Lawmakers asked for the studies and data behind the budget justification, and for confirmation on the timing of continuation awards; McMahon agreed to follow up.","Secretary McMahon told the subcommittee the administration proposes eliminating TRIO and GEAR UP programs and argued colleges now do more outreach; lawmakers objected and asked for studies supporting that move and continuity of awards.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6231627,"Lawmakers press Education Secretary on canceled and frozen school mental-health grants",1102,1351000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e&start=1351&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e/thumbnail_1351000.jpg","/articles/6231627/Lawmakers-press-Education-Secretary-on-canceled-and-frozen-school-mental-health-grants","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231627-92955429eeacfd2110b1916aaff58805/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992941&Signature=QXsfAgu-1qAhkv-sTarqe~~YUu2-B-VkSRIdSpyc1S1Wr1xwzegXB16KZjsdzWYETcXxkczPnSIsYNHDe075FzN3gGkvXZSgbCfEVXjKaSIt0VrWn0Q6flbB5a8gpzwb6dWtWb2h1dC7y0TDTKAgbnCZhr01Mc1iw7XMm-SCaFQSpiZJiDI-1Rnicl-bQJC8CnXhFqJht9R9at0DlR0ZdcHMurPnM0w7KIBlJ7dy2BfUM5~TYwxaoraqGO3mf8mBEFUyzBolZFaNZTB7ZY6Z0u3zH9LYxPPk5Ubnlo7WTOgTM2Ho-YrqvFfLfIb9scDSOV1SYCSA7b5vrx10kO3vrg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Members of the House Appropriations subcommittee told Education Secretary McMahon that the department has cut or frozen about $1 billion in school-based mental-health grants and researcher training programs that lawmakers and school districts say are already serving students.

Representative Rosa DeLauro said the grants — created with bipartisan support to increase the number of school psychologists, counselors and social workers — were canceled “on the eve of National Mental Health Awareness Month.” She and other members asked why the department removed funds and demanded documentation explaining the criteria used to stop awards.

McMahon said the department is “evaluating every single program” and that some funds are “continuing or not continuing” as that review proceeds. She acknowledged concerns about shortages of mental-health professionals and said local funding and decisions should guide services in communities. On the question of whether the department would obligate congressionally appropriated funds this fiscal year, McMahon told the subcommittee: “We are going to abide by the law.”

Why it matters: School-based mental-health grants provide training and positions aimed at reducing chronic absenteeism and increasing in-school supports for students. Lawmakers cited examples — including Guilford County, N.C., which used its grant to provide services to about 1,000 additional students — and warned that removing funds will reduce those services.

Details and debate: Lawmakers repeatedly asked McMahon to explain the rationale and provide the criteria used to cancel or freeze grants; she said the department had seen instances where money was “not being used really for health care programs,” but did not provide a public methodology or program-by-program list during the hearing. Members asked for a commitment to obligate funds appropriated in prior bills by Sept. 30; McMahon replied she would “abide by the law” and said she would get back to the committee with more information.

Next steps: Members requested written documentation explaining which grants were suspended or canceled, the criteria used for those actions, and confirmation that congressionally appropriated funds for active grants will be spent this fiscal year.","Ranking members said the department froze or canceled roughly $1 billion in school-based mental-health grants; Secretary McMahon said grants are being evaluated and that the department will “abide by the law,” but could not provide criteria used for cancellations during the hearing.",{"_33":111,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":112,"_41":113,"_43":114,"_45":115,"_47":116,"_49":117,"_51":118,"_53":119,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":120,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":121,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":72,"_74":72},6231631,"House subcommittee presses Education Secretary on FY26 proposal to cut department and compress 18 programs into $2 billion block grant",2642,507000,3149000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e&start=507&end=3149","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3429042-8b9ce854fa3997b4993bd940b6ea192e/thumbnail_507000.jpg","/articles/6231631/House-subcommittee-presses-Education-Secretary-on-FY26-proposal-to-cut-department-and-compress-18-programs-into-2-billion-block-grant","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6231631-28ee13d0d79250c4ebf77f264a9b85b4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770992941&Signature=CxBWSFJ2Z-iid066klWXedmA~ZUtxWotdYkfibVq0AW7Y~yziiymoz16cMyVJpWrdwRAEJ5EXI6JgSHQ-89fymBO8R7DMm7dbggFyu2KyqbPL2B9gI85oVUb6OUMe34Nad-B6t3o2TdCiEoGV9rKdpFdoue-zyB5UyVB3-C68VwOGVKnk-MS8QfsXEeASt7hCOMJ4wbj3syNfJvS2mODjKrG~bN-kQB3ligg7DzzxBWmf8Z~7t4BV8ObSjpbXPRdqUZto48ChyTPsfP~iCZgGluVm~YuI0tR6UiXkb6uD9fO4bRZltn5dSzmONiqTgJBuFtihGu~NrqhHtkZdUlXOA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Education Secretary McMahon told the House Appropriations subcommittee on Wednesday that the administration's fiscal 2026 budget would shrink Department of Education funding by more than 15% and consolidate a set of grant programs into a single $2 billion block grant to states.

The change, McMahon said, would “get rid of that regulatory compliance” that she said consumed money and allow states to redirect funds to local priorities. Ranking Member Representative Rosa DeLauro and other Democrats pressed McMahon for specifics about which programs would be cut, how much would be lost statewide and whether legally directed accounts such as Title I and funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act would be preserved.

McMahon told the panel that Title I and IDEA remain fully funded in the requested budget and said the 18 smaller programs would be “compressed into $2,000,000,000, which will operate like a block grant to the states.” Representative DeLauro rejected the move as a cut in practice, saying the committee has “no idea where that $12,000,000,000 is coming from” and that a block grant typically reduces available resources.

Why it matters: The subcommittee noted that most K–12 funding comes from state and local sources and warned that shifting federal dollars into fewer, less-prescriptive streams can produce uneven results across states. Members asked for the administration’s evidence that a $2 billion consolidated grant would preserve the programs’ prior reach and protections.

Details and debate: McMahon repeatedly framed the proposal as returning decisions to states and reducing federal bureaucracy. She said the department had “reviewed our programs and identified spending that does not fulfill the mandate” and cited cutting contracts and reducing staff as part of the administration’s rationale. Members pressed for a program-level table and for legal assurances; McMahon said the request is a “skinny budget” that does not include every line item and that she would follow the law and work with Congress.

The subcommittee highlighted several unanswered questions: which of the 18 programs would be covered by the block grant; how much of the roughly $4.3 billion the committee currently spends on those programs would be preserved; and what specific rules or guardrails would follow if Congress declined to approve the department’s proposals.

What officials said: “We are going to abide by the law,” McMahon told Representative DeLauro when asked whether congressionally appropriated funds for ongoing programs would be fully obligated under the continuing resolution.

Outlook: Lawmakers said they will seek the department’s documentation and studies justifying the consolidation and reductions before deciding whether to accept the request. No committee vote or formal action occurred during the hearing.","Education Secretary McMahon told the House Appropriations subcommittee the administration's FY26 plan would reduce Department of Education funding by more than 15%, compress 18 programs into a $2 billion block grant to states and keep Title I and IDEA funding intact; lawmakers pressed for details and legal limits.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Members press secretary on staff cuts, rehiring and outside influence after Musk meetings

Education Secretary says department is resuming collections; committee members raise concerns about defaults and servicing confusion

Committee presses secretary after administration proposes eliminating TRIO and GEAR UP

Lawmakers press Education Secretary on canceled and frozen school mental-health grants

House subcommittee presses Education Secretary on FY26 proposal to cut department and compress 18 programs into $2 billion block grant