“America’s moms want all our children to be educated in excellent, inclusive schools. Our schools must cultivate learning for children of all abilities, welcome every student, teach accurate history, and prepare each child to succeed. Sadly, President-Elect Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S Department of Education, Linda McMahon, the former CEO of World Wrestling Entertainment, is wholly unqualified to support those goals.

“Schools aren’t wrestling arenas. Instead of using schools to center children in political wrestling matches, the job of the U.S Secretary of Education is to foster learning and create the foundation of our future workforce. Politics have no place in our taxpayer-funded academic institutions, which are critical to our nation’s success.

“McMahon has a strong history of harmfully prioritizing politics over other considerations. Especially alarming is her leadership at the America First Policy Institute, which advocates defunding public schools by using voucher programs to shift taxpayer dollars to private schools, many of which discriminate against students, including those with disabilities. Taxpayer dollars should be used for students, not to increase profits. And moms don’t want the Department of Education to be led by a person whose ideological bent is to dismantle public schools.

“We need a Secretary of Education who champions and supports educators, as well as advances an education system that makes the United States competitive with other nations – and that means putting students first, advancing literacy, protecting LGBTQIA+ and other vulnerable students, and working tirelessly to stop harassment and bullying to keep our children safe and learning. Our nation’s success depends on giving all children a quality education. The U.S. Senate must not confirm McMahon, who is unfit to serve in this critically important post. Our children – and our country – deserve better.”