WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) released the following statement opposing the nomination of Linda McMahon for Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education:
"Linda McMahon has no respect for the essential role of public education in our democracy and is wholly unqualified to lead the U.S. Department of Education. That makes sense when you consider the only reason Donald Trump and Elon Musk nominated her is so that she executes their plan to abolish the Department of Education.
"Every child should have the right to access a quality public education in their neighborhood school. Trump, Musk, and McMahon disagree. Their anti-education agenda will harm our kids and starve our local schools of essential federal resources in order to placate billionaires. Their education proposals will mean lay offs for some of our kids' favorite teachers, shuttering of after school programs, and no federal department looking out for students with disabilities.
"On behalf of New Mexico's kids and their futures, I voted no on Linda McMahon's nomination for Secretary of Education."
Background on How Linda McMahon & President Trump's Threats to Dismantle the Education Department Will Harm New Mexico's Students, Parents, and Educators:
Title I Funding
87% of schools in New Mexico receive a total of $147 million in federal Title I funding from the Department of Education. This funding supports low-income students with literacy and math. Title I funds are used for:
Hiring additional teachers and specialists who support students and their teachers with literacy and math instruction
Purchasing additional instructional materials
Teacher training
Parent engagement
Smaller Classroom Sizes
Federal Pell Grants
More than 44,000 low-income college students in New Mexico — including students in vocational-technical certificate programs — currently receive a Federal Pell Grant from the Department of Education. Pell Grants help New Mexicans pay for tuition, housing, food, transportation, books, and other education-related costs.
Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Funding
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) funds special education services. 16.5% of New Mexico students are on an individualized education plan (IEP) and receive services under this program. New Mexico receives $120 million per year in IDEA funding from the Department of Education. IDEA funding can be used to pay special education instructors, support services such as behavioral health specialists, and classroom materials and equipment designed for students with disabilities.
21st Century Community Learning Center (After School Program) Funding
The Department of Education administers Title IV, Part B funds for after school programs. In New Mexico, 124 schools receive this funding for their after school enrichment and tutoring programs.
Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act Funding
The Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funds grants for equipment and programming for high school career and technical education programs. New Mexico receives $10.5 million in Carl Perkins Act Career and Technical Education Improvement Act funding from the Department of Education.
Title II, Part A Funding
Title II, Part A funds teacher professional development. New Mexico receives more than $2 million per year from the Department of Education to help educators improve and expand their teaching skills.
Title III Funding
Title III funds help students learn English. 1 out of 3 families in New Mexico speak a language other than English at home and about 1 out of 6 students are classified as English learners. New Mexico currently receives about $9 million per year to help kids learn English.
