Secretary of Education Linda McMahon Statement on President Trump’s FY 2026 Skinny Budget

Today, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon released the following statement in response to President Trump's Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Skinny Budget:

"President Trump's proposed budget puts students and parents above the bureaucracy. It reflects the historic mandate I have been given to serve as the final Secretary of Education. The federal government has invested trillions of taxpayer dollars into an education system that is not driving improved student outcomes - we must change course and reorient taxpayer dollars toward proven programs that generate results for American students.

The President's Skinny Budget reflects funding levels for an agency that is responsibly winding down, shifting some responsibilities to the states, and thoughtfully preparing a plan to delegate other critical functions to more appropriate entities. It supports the President's vision of expanding school choice and ensuring every American has access to an excellent education.

For example, the budget consolidates 24 competitive and formula K-12 grant programs and seven Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA) programs down to two simplified funding streams that will continue to provide federal support for low-income families and special education students. This commonsense reform removes the bureaucracy and red tape for states while preserving the federal dollars for low-income families and special needs children and youth.

The Skinny Budget saves billions in taxpayer dollars from going to duplicative, unaligned, or non-essential programs. I look forward to presenting a complete FY 2026 budget in the future and working with Congress to deliver on the promise for a new era in education."

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