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NewsFox 13 News (WTVT) — PoliticsOctober 24, 2026Hillsborough County

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon details plans to close the Department of Education

Photo: Fox 13 News (WTVT) — Politics

U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon announced plans to dismantle the Department of Education by transferring its operational duties and funding flows to other federal agencies through interagency agreements. The Department of Labor is taking over adult education, family literacy, and career and technical education programs, while the Treasury Department is assuming control of federal student loans and defaulted debt collections. The administration aims to present this as a proof of concept to Congress, which holds final authority on whether to formally close the cabinet-level department.

EducationBudget & AppropriationsGovernment Operations
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Why It Matters

The proposed dismantling of the Department of Education would shift administrative control of federal student loans, workforce training programs, and education grants to the Departments of Labor and the Treasury while returning greater oversight and flexibility to state governments.

Key Facts

  • U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon confirmed plans to close the Department of Education to demonstrate to Congress that the agency is no longer necessary.
  • The Department of Labor is taking over the administration of adult education, family literacy, and career and technical education programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Perkins Act.
  • The Department of the Treasury has agreed to take over key operations related to federal student loans and collections on defaulted debt.
  • The Department of Education vacated its headquarters in the Lyndon B. Johnson building to allow the Department of Energy to move in by August.
  • Iowa became the first state to participate in a new waiver process allowing greater flexibility in using federal education funds and reducing administrative burdens.
  • Formal closure of the Department of Education requires a vote and approval from Congress.
  • While other agencies manage operational duties, the Department of Education retains statutory responsibilities and oversight while shifting services to states and grant recipients.

Who's Mentioned

OrganizationDepartment of Education“Federal cabinet department slated for dismantling”OrganizationCato Institute“Policy research organization”OrganizationDepartment of Labor“Taking over day-to-day administration of adult education, family literacy, and c”PersonDonald Trump“President who promised to eliminate the Department of Education”OrganizationDepartment of the Treasury“Partnering to take over federal student loans and collections on defaulted debt”Organizationfoxnews.com“Source publication website”OrganizationDepartment of Energy“Moving into the Lyndon B. Johnson Department of Education building”locationIowa“First state to participate in the new waiver process for federal education funds”PersonAndrew Gillen“Higher education policy research fellow at the Cato Institute”PersonLinda McMahon“U.S. Education Secretary”