U.S. Education Secretary Linda McMahon drew tense questioning from House Democrats during a hearing on the administration’s proposal to dismantle the Education Department and shift its work. Lawmakers confronted McMahon over issues that could affect student support programs and state authority, including federal student loan caps and how the department would address literacy and other academic outcomes. The hearing reflected deep partisan disagreement over whether federal oversight and funding mechanisms should be preserved, reduced, or reassigned. Republicans defended McMahon in large part, while Democrats raised concerns about impacts to targeted programs such as TRIO and graduate student loan policy. For higher education institutions, the dispute matters because changes to federal education governance often cascade into how universities design compliance, financial aid administration, and program delivery—particularly for students relying on federal grant structures and services tied to departmental oversight. The hearing also highlights how administrative restructuring can become a near-term operational risk for universities, with uncertainty affecting planning timelines for compliance and student support.