Washington Update, January 15, 2025
Dear Colleagues:
With President Biden wrapping up his final week in office and the inauguration just days away, the transition is already shaping what’s next for education policy. From updates on the House Education and Workforce Committee’s new leadership to the confirmation process for President-elect Trump’s Education Secretary nominee, there’s a lot unfolding that will set the tone for the months ahead.
And on an exciting note, President Biden capped off his administration by honoring nearly 400 exceptional scientists and engineers with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)—the highest recognition for early-career innovators in the nation. Among the honorees are two of our very own TED members, a huge milestone for them and a testament to the power of their work. I’ve pulled together a quick overview to keep you in the loop as things develop.
1. House Education and Workforce Committee and Subcommittee Assignments Announced
House Education and Workforce Committee Announces Subcommittee Leadership and Membership for the 119th Congress
Chair Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) and Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-Va.) announced updates to the House Education and Workforce Committee's subcommittee leadership and membership for the 119th Congress. These updates include new leadership roles and assignments for both parties.
Key Appointments:
• Republican Chair Assignments:
o Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.) will chair the Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education.
o Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah) will chair the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development.
o Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.) will chair the Subcommittee on Workforce Protections.
o Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.) will chair the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions.
• Democratic Vice Ranking Member: Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), a new member of the committee.
• New Democratic members: Reps. Summer Lee (D-Pa.) and John Mannion (D-N.Y.).
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Subcommittee Assignments:
Subcommittee on Early Childhood, Elementary, and Secondary Education
• Chair: Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.)
• Ranking Member: Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.)
• Republicans: Mary Miller (Ill.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), G.T. Thompson (Pa.), Burgess Owens (Utah), Michael Rulli (Ohio), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.), Mark Harris (N.C.), Mark Messmer (Ind.)
• Democrats: Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Jahana Hayes (Conn.), Summer Lee (Pa.), John Mannion (N.Y.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Alma Adams (N.C.)
Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development
• Chair: Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah)
• Ranking Member: Rep. Alma Adams (D-N.C.)
• Republicans: Michael Baumgartner (Wash.), Joe Wilson (S.C.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), G.T. Thompson (Pa.), Glenn Grothman (Wis.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), Lisa McClain (Mich.), Kevin Kiley (Calif.), Erin Houchin (Ind.), Bob Onder (Mo.), Mark Harris (N.C.)
• Democrats: Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Mark Takano (Calif.), Lucy McBath (Ga.), Donald Norcross (N.J.), Raúl Grijalva (Ariz.), Joe Courtney (Conn.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.), Mark DeSaulnier (Calif.), Ilhan Omar (Minn.)
Subcommittee on Workforce Protections
• Chair: Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Pa.)
• Ranking Member: Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.)
• Republicans: Mark Messmer (Ind.), Glenn Grothman (Wis.), Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), James Comer (Ky.), Mary Miller (Ill.)
• Democrats: Haley Stevens (Mich.), Greg Casar (Texas), Mark Takano (Calif.)
Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions
• Chair: Rep. Rick Allen (R-Ga.)
• Ranking Member: Rep. Mark DeSaulnier (D-Calif.)
• Republicans: Bob Onder (Mo.), Joe Wilson (S.C.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), James Comer (Ky.), Burgess Owens (Utah), Lisa McClain (Mich.), Erin Houchin (Ind.), Michael Rulli (Ohio), Ryan Mackenzie (Pa.), Michael Baumgartner (Wash.)
• Democrats: Joe Courtney (Conn.), Donald Norcross (N.J.), Lucy McBath (Ga.), Jahana Hayes (Conn.), Greg Casar (Texas), Summer Lee (Pa.), John Mannion (N.Y.), Mark Takano (Calif.)
2. What’s the status of the McMahon Hearing?
The Senate HELP Committee, led by Sen. Bill Cassidy, is waiting on paperwork from the transition team before scheduling the confirmation hearing for Linda McMahon, President-elect Trump's pick for Education Secretary. Without the required financial disclosures and conflict of interest forms, the hearing will likely be delayed until after Inauguration Day.
“It really depends on us getting paperwork,” Cassidy told POLITICO, noting the delay is on the transition team's end.
McMahon, who previously led the Small Business Administration under Trump, has started meeting with committee members and Senate leadership. Cassidy hasn’t met with her in person yet but said they’ve had a brief phone conversation.
By comparison, past Education Secretary confirmation hearings, like Betsy DeVos’ and Dr. Miguel Cardona’s, were held close to their respective inaugurations.
3. EXCITING NEWS! TED MEMBERS RECEIVE PRESIDENTIAL EARLY CAREER AWARD FOR SCIENTISTS AND ENGINEERS
President Biden has honored nearly 400 of the nation’s brightest minds with the Presidential Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE)—the highest recognition the U.S. government bestows on early-career scientists and engineers!
This prestigious award, established by President Clinton in 1996, celebrates innovators with extraordinary potential for leadership in science and technology. It’s not just about their groundbreaking research but also their commitment to driving meaningful impacts on society, advancing our nation’s scientific missions, and inspiring the next generation of innovators.
Even more thrilling, two members of TED have been recognized among this elite group! This is a huge moment for them, for our community, and for the future of special education research. Let’s take a moment to celebrate their incredible achievement! 🎉 Congratulations to Dr. Liz Bettini and Dr. Jenny Root on this remarkable accomplishment.
Wishing you all a wonderful week ahead- stay warm!
Until next time, see you on X!
Kait
@brennan_kait
Have a question about Washington Update? Policy news I should know about? Ping me- lets grab virtual coffee: kbrennan@kbstrategies.org
