President Trump and Secretary Linda McMahon’s Department of Education have formally recognized Grand Canyon University (GCU) as a nonprofit institution of higher education. This move addresses what Congressman Andy Biggs described as a misuse of federal authority that had previously affected faith-based universities.
In response to the decision, Congressman Biggs stated: “This decision is a long-overdue correction and a clear step toward restoring integrity at the Department of Education. Under President Trump’s leadership, federal agencies are once again applying the law as written, not as manipulated to advance partisan agendas. I am thankful for Secretary Linda McMahon’s decisive leadership and commitment to fairness in ensuring GCU was properly recognized as a nonprofit institution.”
He further commented: “The Biden-Harris regime weaponized ED to undermine education freedom by targeting faith-based universities and trade schools through arbitrary and politically-motivated standards. I led the effort in Congress to push back against that abuse of power. Earlier this year, I led a letter to Secretary McMahon urging ED to immediately recognize GCU’s nonprofit status, and I introduced the IHE Nonprofit Clarity Act to ensure institutions recognized as nonprofits by the IRS are treated accordingly by ED.”
Biggs also said: “My office has remained in near-constant contact with Secretary McMahon’s ED to press for a lawful resolution. This action is a meaningful step toward restoring the rule of law and ensuring that federal agencies serve the American people, not partisan agendas.”
Andy Biggs has represented Arizona’s 5th district in the U.S. Congress since 2017, following his service in the Arizona Senate from 2013 to 2017. He was born in Tucson, Arizona in 1958 and currently resides in Gilbert. Biggs earned his BA from Brigham Young University in 1982 and his JD from the University of Arizona in 1984.
