U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito engaged in a dialogue with U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon during a hearing to examine the president’s Fiscal Year 2026 budget request. The session took place under the auspices of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.
During the hearing, Senator Capito addressed concerns regarding antisemitism on college campuses. She referenced a previous incident at Columbia University and questioned Secretary McMahon about measures being taken by the department to ensure Jewish students can learn without intimidation. “This is not a problem that’s going away on our college campuses…How are you going to make sure that the department is taking to ensure all students and in this particular case, Jewish students, are able to learn an environment free from intimidation?” asked Senator Capito.
The discussion also touched upon literacy rates across the country. Senator Capito expressed concern over troubling test scores and highlighted efforts in West Virginia where additional funds were allocated for reading teachers in early grades. She noted, “We did actually make it. That did make a difference. Having that extra teacher in the classroom.”
