News Release: WI Educators Travel to Washington, D.C., ahead of McMahon Confirmation Hearing

WEAC President, Teachers and School Support Staff meet with lawmakers as Ed Secretary nominee testifies before Congress

 WASHINGTON—Ahead of the confirmation hearing for U.S. Secretary of Education nominee Linda McMahon, the President and other leaders of the Wisconsin Education Association Council are in Washington, D.C., to join other educators, parents and community leaders on Capitol Hill to advocate for Wisconsin students and their public schools. Wirtz-Olsen and other Wisconsin educators joined hundreds of educators, parents, students and members of Congress at a rally today, Wednesday, February 12, to lobby members of Congress and stand up for students by fighting against the effort to dismantle the Department of Education, pass universal vouchers and cut vital services Wisconsin students depend on in their public schools.

The rally comes at a pivotal moment, as the Trump administration attempts to advance policies that would eliminate essential support and protections for students, increase class sizes, and divert even more funds from Wisconsin Public Schools, already forced to continuing referendums as the state has refused to fulfill its constitutional obligation. Wirtz-Olsen and other advocates spoke out against Executive Orders that will strip resources from vulnerable students, including those with disabilities, and make higher education more expensive for future generations.

McMahon is scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions on Thursday, Feb. 13 at 9 a.m. CST, the first hurdle in the cabinet nomination process.

WHY IT MATTERS LOCALLY:

Students across Wisconsin benefit from programs run by the Department of Education, especially lower-income students in rural, suburban, and urban communities, students who qualify for federal grants or loans to receive career training or attend 2- and 4-year colleges, and students with disabilities. In our community, these proposed cuts would directly affect local schools, impacting funding, educational opportunities, and support systems for students who rely on vital services.

• More than 388,259 students in Wisconsin receive Title I funds from the Department of Education.
• Losing federal dollars would further exacerbate the educator shortages plaguing Wisconsin public schools, causing students’ class sizes to balloon.
• Special education programs will suffer with the loss of millions of dollars that go to Wisconsin students. Wisconsin educators and parents expect elected officials to prioritize our students’ futures and strengthen our public schools, so they remain a cornerstone of opportunity and equality.

BACKGROUND:

The Trump administration’s early EOs have already undermined civil rights protections for students, eroded access to essential educational resources, and escalated threats to the foundation of public education. The rally comes ahead of the confirmation hearing for Linda McMahon, a nominee whose policies are seen by many as part of an extreme agenda to dismantle public education and attack students’ rights.

Only Congress has the power to abolish the Education Department, and the vast majority of Congress—including 60 House Republicans—rejected gutting public education last session, knowing it would only hurt students and is deeply unpopular with parents and educators.

NOTE TO EDITORS:

To schedule an interview with educators and concerned parents from Wisconsin, contact Wisconsin Education Association Council Public Affairs Manager Christina Brey at 608-213-3497 or breyc@weac.org.

Follow us on social media at @weac on X.

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The Wisconsin Education Association Council is a union of Public School Educators united to improve public education and the lives of our students.