On June 6, Betsy DeVos appeared before Congress in an attempt to gain support for the Education Department’s 2018 budget. When Senator Merkley asks about discrimination towards students and what to do about it, DeVos replies more than once that “schools that receive federal funds must follow federal law.”
Merkley: “…Are you saying that if you have a private school—private schools generally set their own admission policies—that they will not be allowed under your program to discriminate against LGBTQ students?”
DeVos: “Senator, I said it before and I’ll say it again, that schools that receive federal funds must follow federal law.”
Senator Mike Merkley (D-Ore.) requested DeVos to outline her interpretation of federal law concerning discrimination because the current discrimination law that exists is foggy and unclear but she blatantly avoided the question. Discourse continues as DeVos consistently refuses to provide effective responses to Senator Merkley’s queries.
Merkley: “…How about discrimination based on religion? Will such discrimination be allowed with charter or private schools?”
DeVos: “Again, for schools that receive federal funds, federal laws must be followed.”
Merkley: “Will such discrimination be allowed? Answer the question.”
DeVos: “Schools that get federal funds need to follow federal law.”
Betsy DeVos is incapable of providing answers concerning the education budget — something that she worked on with the Trump administration — and as a decent human being, respect and acceptance should be a common belief regardless of differences. DeVos is unprofessional and unwilling to truly support education for all students. Our Secretary of Education did not and will not confirm that discrimination against LGBTQ+ students or discrimination based on religion will cease under her program. DeVos does not stand for the opportunity of students identifying as any race, gender, sexual orientation or religion to have an equal chance in schools and that is a big problem.
Watch Senator Merkley question Betsy DeVos here,
