Senate Hearing Reveals Math Errors in Education Budget Proposal
During a Senate hearing, Secretary of Education Linda McMahon was corrected on a math error by Senator Jack Reed. Senator John Kennedy mistakenly claimed that the U.S. spends over a trillion dollars on federal grant programs TRIO and GEAR UP, when in fact it is $1.58 billion per year. Reed pointed out that $1.5 billion multiplied by 10 is $15 billion, not a trillion dollars. McMahon did not correct Kennedy's error but acknowledged Reed's correction. The math blunder occurred during McMahon's testimony on President Trump's 2026 budget proposal, which includes significant cuts to the Department of Education, affecting programs like TRIO and GEAR UP.
TRIO is a federal program that provides grants to assist low-income, first-generation college students, and individuals with disabilities. In 2024, the Education Department allocated $1.191 billion for the program. GEAR UP is another federal grant program that helps low-income students prepare for postsecondary education, with $388 million provided in 2024. However, Trump's proposed budget would eliminate almost all TRIO and GEAR UP grants as part of his plan to close the Education Department.
Senator Susan Collins expressed concerns about the impact of the cuts to TRIO, highlighting the positive influence of the program on first-generation and low-income students nationwide. Education advocacy groups have criticized the proposed budget, stating that it would harm millions of students, especially those from low-income households. The budget cuts are part of Trump's efforts to reduce funding for the Education Department, a move that has raised concerns among policymakers and education advocates.