With Senate in Democrats’ Hands, Attention Turns to Ed Committee Leadership, Cardona Confirmation
With the Democrats now in control of the U.S. Senate after the defeat of two Republican incumbents in Georgia’s crucial runoff election, attention is shifting to committee assignments and the upcoming confirmation hearings for Miguel Cardona, President-elect Biden’s pick for education secretary.
Senator Patty Murray of Washington is expected to take over the role of chair of the education committee, previously held by retired Senator Lamar Alexander. Republican Richard Burr of North Carolina is likely to become the ranking member.
Murray recently stated in an email to that her top priority will be the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act. She aims to make college more affordable, accessible, accountable, and safer, all while addressing the systemic racism that has plagued the higher education system. Additionally, she intends to focus on combating the ongoing systemic racism that negatively affects students of color.
Murray is also a vocal advocate for early childhood education and may advocate for increased funding for child care in future relief packages. The bill passed in December fell $40 billion short of her proposed amount.
One of the first tasks for the education committee will be advancing Biden’s nomination for education secretary, Miguel Cardona. However, the confirmation hearings for Cardona are not expected to begin until later this month at the earliest. Nevertheless, Cardona could start serving as acting secretary once Biden is sworn in on the 20th, according to Julia Martin, legislative director at Brustein and Manasevit, a Washington-based education law firm.
The Democratic victories in Georgia have resulted in a 50-50 split in the Senate, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris prepared to cast tie-breaking votes.
With Democrats controlling both the executive and legislative branches of government, there is speculation that Biden will have more leeway to pursue costly and controversial aspects of his policy agenda. However, the filibuster rule, which requires a 60-vote majority for legislative packages, is expected to remain in place. This means that Biden will still need to appeal to GOP moderates in order to pass major legislation.
Democrats may be able to assist in getting significant tax and spending bills through Congress, such as those related to additional pandemic relief, using the budget reconciliation process. This fast-track procedure prohibits bills from increasing the federal deficit or changing spending on social security.
Biden is also anticipated to pause several of President Donald Trump’s recent executive orders, particularly the one directing the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to allocate "emergency learning scholarships" to disadvantaged families using Community Service Block Grant funds. This order would also make payments to microschools, pods, and therapy services for students with special needs eligible for funding.
Another order likely to be halted is Trump’s 1776 Commission, which aimed to teach American history from a different perspective than the 1619 Project, which focuses on the impact of slavery.
In August, Trump issued a series of executive orders, one of which deferred payroll tax obligations. Democrats argued that this action could harm schools and lead to teacher layoffs.
