By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - The US Senate confirmed Linda McMahon on Monday to lead the Department of Education.
President Donald Trump's pick was confirmed in a 51-45 vote.
Senators Shelley Moore Capito, Cynthia Lummis, Elissa Slotkin and Peter Welch did not vote.
During her confirmation hearing last month, McMahon said she would work with Congress to reorient the agency toward helping educators, not controlling them.
She faced criticism about her lack of education experience and her support of Trump’s plans to eliminate the Department of Education.
McMahon confirmed that the department cannot be shut down without congressional action.
The Department of Education is on the list Trump has an eye on, and now he is reportedly finalizing an executive order that would attempt to dismantle the agency, which was established by Congress in 1979.
Although he cannot dismantle the department with an executive order, he can undermine its functions and redistribute duties.
According to media reports, the Education Department sent an email to staffers Friday offering employees a $25,000 buyout, which is set to terminate at 11.59 p.m. local time Monday.