Washington Update, February 14, 2025
Dear Colleagues:
This has been an incredibly challenging and uncertain week, and I want to take a moment. to acknowledge the stress and concern many of you are feeling. The work you do—preparing future special educators, conducting vital research, and advocating for students with disabilities—is more important than ever. Your voices matter, and your advocacy makes a difference. To those who attended our community briefing, thank you for showing up, engaging in the conversation, and standing together in support of the students and educators we serve. If you were unable to attend, please check your inbox for an email from TED leadership containing resources and key takeaways from the briefing.
I also encourage you to keep an eye on your inbox as additional opportunities for engagement and advocacy will be forthcoming. Advocacy is not just about a single moment—it’s about persistence, collaboration, and a shared commitment to ensuring that all students receive the support they need to thrive. ted will continue to stand with you, speak up for our profession, and move forward together. You are not alone in this effort, and we will continue to advocate—side by side.
Please don’t hesitate to reach out if you have questions, need support, or want to connect further.
We are in this together.
1. Summary of Linda McMahon’s Senate Confirmation Hearing – February 13, 2025
This week, Linda McMahon sat before the Senate HELP Committee for her confirmation hearing as the next U.S. Secretary of Education. Given the administration’s plans to restructure—or even dismantle—the Department of Education, senators pressed her on what these changes would mean for students, educators, and the key federal programs the department oversees.
Key Takeaways:
• What Happens to the Department of Education?
McMahon confirmed that the administration is looking at shifting certain education functions to other federal agencies. Special education programs under IDEA could move to HHS, while federal student aid programs might shift to the Treasury. She made it clear that any major structural changes would require congressional approval and emphasized that the goal is to "streamline operations, not cut funding."
• Senator Maggie Hassan Pushes on IDEA Funding
Senator Hassan (D-NH) wasn’t sold on the idea of moving IDEA oversight to HHS, questioning whether students with disabilities would still receive the full funding and services they’re entitled to. "Can you guarantee that students with disabilities won’t see their services disrupted?" she asked.
McMahon responded, saying "Any transition would be done carefully to ensure there’s no disruption to IDEA services or funding."
• Senator Tim Kaine on Education Funding
Senator Kaine (D-VA) asked how Title I funding for low-income schools and Pell Grants would be handled if the department were dismantled. He raised concerns about whether shifting these programs elsewhere might weaken their effectiveness. McMahon responded, "The intent is not to cut funding but to improve efficiency. We will work closely with Congress to ensure these programs continue serving students as intended."
• Reactions & What’s Next
The hearing drew a lot of attention, with senators pushing for details on what happens next and how these proposals will be implemented. Some remained skeptical about the administration’s plans, while others focused on ensuring that if changes happen, they don’t disrupt services to students.
With a Senate committee vote expected next week, McMahon’s confirmation is shaping up to be a key moment in the broader debate over the future of the Department of Education. If confirmed, she’ll be at the center of these conversations, working through both the logistics and the politics of these proposed changes.
2. Massive cuts to grants and contracts across the Department of Education
This week, the Department of Education (ED) abruptly canceled at least $900 million in research contracts at the Institute of Education Sciences (IES)—a significant move given that IES’s entire budget for FY24 was $793 million. This means that many ongoing, multi-year projects, including some legally mandated ones, are now in jeopardy. Reports indicate that the Administration’s DOGE team made these decisions, making legal challenges likely. While ED states that key initiatives like NAEP, College Scorecard, and College Navigator remain intact, essential data collection at the National Center for Education Statistics is being significantly impacted.
At the same time, ED is eliminating Teacher Quality Partnership grants and SEED grants, both of which are critical to strengthening the educator pipeline—particularly concerning given ongoing teacher shortages. Additional cuts are expected in the coming weeks. Furthermore, civil servants across the department, including those within the Office of Special Education Programs (OSEP) and the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), are being dismissed, raising serious concerns about the federal government’s capacity to support students with disabilities.
These changes reflect more than just budget adjustments; they signal a fundamental shift in the federal government’s role in education research, teacher preparation, and support for students with diverse learning needs.
3.Lawsuits against the U.S. Department of Education Begin
An organization representing thousands of University of California students has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Education, alleging violations of federal privacy laws and department regulations by allowing outside consultants access to sensitive student financial aid data. The University of California Student Association’s lawsuit, filed in the D.C. District Court, follows reports that members of the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) were granted access to internal systems containing personal financial data of students participating in federal aid programs.
“The Education Department collects this data with a promise to keep it secure and use it to support students in accessing financial aid,” said Student Defense Vice President Alex Elson, representing the association. “Providing access to outside individuals without proper oversight violates federal law and public trust. We urge the court to act swiftly to prevent further breaches.”
The lawsuit highlights the vast amount of personal and financial information stored by the Education Department through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), loan repayment systems, and other regulatory programs tracking the financial value of higher education. The department maintains names, Social Security numbers, birthdates, contact information, demographic details, and, in some cases, bank account information for more than 42 million individuals.
4. Lawmakers express concerns over Data Security
Concerns over data security have prompted scrutiny from lawmakers. Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, and 14 other Democratic senators sent a letter to Acting Education Secretary Denise Carter demanding transparency on who has access to the data, what safeguards are in place, and whether these individuals have the ability to modify or copy sensitive information. “The millions of families who rely on the Department of Education to help them achieve the American Dream deserve answers,” the lawmakers wrote.
The Education Department was asked to respond by February 13. As the case unfolds, questions remain about data security, regulatory compliance, and how the department will ensure the protection of student financial information moving forward.
5. Legislative efforts to dismantle the Department of Education Introduced
The Trump administration’s push to overhaul federal education policy is taking center stage with two major legislative efforts aimed at eliminating or significantly restructuring the U.S. Department of Education. These proposals, coupled with the confirmation hearing of Education Secretary nominee Linda McMahon, underscore the administration’s commitment to shifting control of education away from the federal government.
Representative Thomas Massie’s H.R. 899, reintroduced in early 2025, is a direct attempt to eliminate the Department of Education altogether, stating simply: “The Department of Education shall terminate on December 31, 2026.” The bill aligns with President Trump’s long-standing position that education oversight should be returned to the states. While Trump has floated the idea of using an executive order to dismantle the department, legal experts emphasize that such a move would require congressional approval.
At the same time, Senator Mike Rounds has reintroduced the Returning Education to Our States Act, which seeks to dismantle the department by redistributing its functions to other agencies.
Under this plan:
• Special education programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) would move to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
• Federal student loan administration would shift to the Department of the Treasury.
• Indian education programs would be transferred to the Department of the Interior.
• Education research programs would be handled by the Treasury, while civil rights enforcement related to education would fall under the Department of Justice.
Both proposals reflect a broader Republican effort to reduce federal involvement in education, a priority that has been gaining traction within conservative circles for years. Proponents argue that these changes will cut bureaucracy and return decision-making power to states and local entities, while critics warn that they could disrupt critical funding streams, weaken federal protections for students, and create confusion around program administration.
The timing of these legislative pushes makes McMahon’s confirmation hearing even more significant. If confirmed, she would be stepping into a role that may be short-lived or significantly redefined. President Trump has openly stated that he hopes she will “put herself out of a job,” reinforcing the idea that her tenure could focus on overseeing the dismantling of the very agency she is set to lead.
As Congress debates these bills and McMahon faces questioning from the Senate, the future of federal education policy remains uncertain. Whether these efforts succeed or face pushback from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the next few months will be a critical test of the Trump administration’s ability to reshape the nation’s education system.
6. Lawmakers gather outside the U.S. Department of Education
More than a dozen House Democrats confronted the Education Department last week, demanding answers from Acting Secretary Denise Carter about President Trump’s impending executive order to dismantle the agency. “Will she comply with an illegal order to shut down the Department of Education?” asked Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.), standing alongside Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Jahana Hayes, Maxwell Frost, Maxine Waters, Greg Casar, and others. "The president wants to cut Congress out of the process—we won’t let him. We won’t hand over our children’s future to one man and his unelected cronies.”
Gathering outside the department’s D.C. headquarters, lawmakers asserted their constitutional oversight duties before attempting to enter the building—only to be denied access by security, despite their congressional credentials. “This is what they’re doing," said Frost. "Elon Musk can walk in, but not elected representatives, parents, or students.”
Trump, in response, dismissed the lawmakers as unpatriotic, claiming, “They don’t love our country.” He reiterated his push to eliminate the department, shifting education oversight entirely to the states.
Lawmakers warn that dismantling the department would throw millions of students into uncertainty. “Who will protect the 26 million kids relying on Title I? The 7.5 million students with disabilities? The millions applying for financial aid?” asked Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.).
This high-stakes standoff comes just days before Linda McMahon’s Senate confirmation hearing for Education Secretary, where Trump’s push to eliminate the department is set to dominate the agenda.
7. NIH announces significant cuts in grant funding for Research
The National Institutes of Health announced last week a significant reduction in grant funding for research institutions, a move that could have widespread implications for American higher education and scientific research. The NIH will cap the reimbursement rate for "indirect funding"—which covers administrative and overhead costs—at 15%, down from an average of nearly 30%. Some institutions previously received over 60%. The change is expected to reduce annual spending by approximately $4 billion.
The NIH stated the decision is aimed at ensuring more funds go directly toward scientific research rather than administrative expenses. However, research institutions warn that this reduction will leave universities scrambling to fill funding gaps necessary for laboratory operations, utilities, and infrastructure. The change is particularly impactful for institutions with higher indirect cost rates. For example, Harvard University, which previously had a 69% indirect rate, will see a significant reduction in funding. Similar cuts will affect Yale University (67.5%) and Johns Hopkins University (63.7%).
Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, criticized the move as an "indiscriminate funding cut" that could hinder medical breakthroughs, pandemic preparedness, and America’s global leadership in biomedical research. The Association of American Medical Colleges called the decision “harmful and counterproductive,” warning that it could disrupt ongoing research and lead to job losses in laboratories across the country. “Lights in labs nationwide will literally go out,” the organization stated.
As universities assess the impact, the decision raises questions about how research institutions will adapt to the new funding structure while maintaining their critical contributions to medical and scientific advancements.
We know this week has been challenging, and the uncertainty can feel overwhelming. Please know that you are not alone—TED is here as a resource, a support system, and a community committed to standing with you. If you have questions, need guidance, or want to connect, we are here to help. Let’s continue moving forward together, supporting one another, and advocating for the future of our field.
Until next time, see you on X.
Kait
@brennan_kait
