Senator Susan Collins, Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Secretary of Education Linda McMahon on April 28 regarding the Department of Education’s proposed changes to K-12 education funding and the TRIO programs. The discussion took place during a hearing reviewing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget request for the Department of Education.
The issue is significant because changes in federal education funding could impact support for rural schools and low-income students nationwide. The Senate Appropriations Committee plays a key role in overseeing how public money is spent and ensuring accountability in federal expenditures, according to the official website.
During the hearing, Collins raised concerns about consolidating multiple K-12 education programs into a single block grant, specifically highlighting risks to the Rural Education Achievement Program (REAP). “Eliminating REAP as a separate program puts schools in rural states at a real disadvantage,” Collins said. She added that reducing funding from $6.5 billion across eighteen programs to $2 billion under one grant could undermine efforts to help K-12 schools.
McMahon responded by saying, “One of the points that you made, about a lot of rural schools don’t have grant writers…is part of the program of this consolidation…all states will participate in a formulaic distribution.” She acknowledged less overall funding but argued that local authorities would have more flexibility: “Governors, local school boards, superintendents…can take a look at these dollars…If they need to be spent more in rural areas, they can direct that funding.” Collins replied she was worried REAP’s success might be lost through consolidation.
Collins also addressed proposed cuts to TRIO programs supporting first-generation and low-income students. She said she opposed eliminating these programs: “I want to go on record that I oppose the Administration’s proposal to, once again, eliminate a program that enjoys robust support and has made such a difference in the lives of children.” Regarding recent changes in grant competitions for Talent Search and Educational Opportunity Centers under TRIO, she said these reflect “a dramatic shift in mission” away from college preparation toward workforce training.
McMahon answered: “The Department of Labor did not write these criteria…I think what we are looking at at the Department of Education is looking at TRIO differently…because under TRIO’s own metrics it has not achieved its own goals.” She described new approaches as an experiment aimed at improving outcomes: “We are spending about $2.1 million doing research for the programs to see how efficacy can be improved. By their own admission and their own self-reported data they’re not meeting their own goals.”
The Senate Appropriations Committee manages legislation related to federal funding—including hearings like this—and oversees government programs according to its official website. Historically chaired by figures such as Lot Morrill from Maine during its early years according to committee records, it continues influencing federal spending decisions including those involving trade or international affairs oversight.
As Congress debates future appropriations bills—such as those produced by this committee including measures like Homeland Security Appropriations Act—the outcome may affect resources available for both rural schools and student support initiatives nationwide.
