Senate Will Vote On Confirming Linda Mcmahon To Lead An Education Agency Trump Has Vowed To Close

The Senate is voting Monday on whether to confirm former wrestling executive Linda McMahon as the nation's education chief, a role that would place her atop a department that President Donald Trump has vilified and vowed to dismantle.

McMahon would face the competing tasks of winding down the Education Department while also escalating efforts to achieve Trump's agenda. Already the Republican president has signed sweeping orders to rid America's schools of diversity programs and accommodations for transgender students while also calling for expanded school choice programs.

At the same time, Trump has promised to shut down the department and said he wants McMahon "to put herself out of a job."

A billionaire and former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, McMahon, 76, is an unconventional pick for the role. She spent a year on Connecticut's state board of education and is a longtime trustee at Sacred Heart University but otherwise has little traditional education leadership.

McMahon's supporters see her as a skilled executive who will reform a department that Republicans say has failed to improve American education. Opponents say she's unqualified and fear her budget cuts will be felt by students nationwide.