U.S. Education Secretary Testifies on Budget, Grants Iowa First-of-Its-Kind Waiver
Two events underscore the administration's ongoing efforts to reduce the federal role in education while shifting authority to states.
U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon testified before the Senate regarding the White House's 2027 fiscal year education spending proposal and simultaneously granted Iowa a first-of-its-kind waiver for flexible use of federal education funds.
Senate Hearing on Education Budget Cuts
McMahon appeared before the Senate to defend the administration's proposed $16 billion budget for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), a $539 million increase from the previous year.
She stated that shifting authority to states would not affect essential federal programs and indicated that supervision and enforcement of IDEA may be moved to the Departments of Labor or Health and Human Services (HHS).
Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) argued that moving special education to HHS "would treat disabilities as a health issue rather than an educational one."
Civil Rights Enforcement
The budget proposes a 35% cut to the Office for Civil Rights (OCR) . In response to Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT), McMahon stated she disagreed with the proposed cut.
In March 2025, the administration fired more than half of OCR's lawyers and staff and closed 7 of 12 regional offices. McMahon denied responsibility for the staff cuts but promised to hire more lawyers to address a backlog of cases.
TRIO Programs for Low-Income Students
Democrats and some Republicans raised concerns about proposed cuts to TRIO, a program serving over 800,000 students annually.
McMahon argued that TRIO is a failure based on its own metrics and suggested reforming it to focus on workforce training. Several senators opposed the change.
Title I and Pell Grants
Title I funding for low-income schools would remain level under the proposed budget. The budget proposes a $10 billion increase for Pell Grants. Some senators praised the move, while others stated it was insufficient.
Student Loans
McMahon acknowledged delays in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) buyback program, with some borrowers waiting 9–12 months for responses.
A new repayment plan is set to roll out in July following the invalidation of a previous Biden administration plan. McMahon stated that progress is being made but acknowledged the process has been confusing.
Iowa Federal Funding Waiver
Secretary McMahon granted Iowa a first-of-its-kind waiver allowing the state to use over $9 million in unrestricted federal education dollars with increased flexibility.
"States should lead -- Washington should support their sound approaches and get out of the way."
— Secretary Linda McMahon
Waiver Details and Implementation
McMahon announced the waiver on Wednesday, also indicating a plan to partner with congressional leaders to expand similar opportunities for other states and local education leaders.
- Total value: More than $9 million over four years
- Projected impact: Reduce "compliance costs" for Iowa, with funds redirected to classroom initiatives
- New flexibility: Streamline funding streams for state activities and invest in strategies for developing educators, addressing achievement gaps, and expanding post-secondary opportunities
Under the terms of the waiver, certain federal requirements will be dropped, providing Iowa with more autonomy in utilizing federal aid. Prior to formal approval, Iowa submitted a Unified Allocation Plan demonstrating how funds would be used to enhance academic outcomes, including supporting educator development and English language acquisition programs.
Broader Context and Related Efforts
State and local education agencies contribute approximately 90% of public school funding across the U.S.
The Education Department confirmed it is collaborating with approximately six additional states on similar waiver requests. Title VIII of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 authorizes states and tribes to submit requests for waivers from statutory or regulatory requirements to "reduce administrative burden" and align programs with student needs.
In addition to the flexible federal funding, the Education Department approved Iowa's application for "Ed-Flex authority." This permits Iowa to grant waivers from certain federal requirements to individual school districts without needing separate federal approval for each instance.
Official Statements and Perspectives
McMahon made the announcement during her "Returning Education to the States Tour." She has reportedly made around two dozen stops in various states during her first year in office to identify local educational practices for potential nationwide implementation.
Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and Director of Education McKenzie Snow joined McMahon for the announcement at Broadway Elementary School in Denison.
"The more red tape that we cut from the federal level, the more Iowa can increase education quality."
— Governor Kim Reynolds
Reynolds emphasized Iowa's education models, such as teaching the science of reading and utilizing evidence-based math and reading practices. She stated her commitment to "continuing to improve student outcomes, reduce red tape for schools, support teachers, and ensure federal education dollars are focused toward state and local priorities."
Congressional Opposition
Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA), the Ranking Member on the House Education and Workforce Committee, issued a statement criticizing the waiver's approval. Scott urged the Department to "refrain" from granting similar waivers to other states.
"Congress must not sit idly by as the Trump administration makes every effort to drag students, educators, and parents back into an era where students were denied the opportunities and resources they needed to succeed."
— Representative Bobby Scott