Betsy DeVos is pushing back against outcry over her proposal to slash $17 million in federal funding for the Special Olympics
By signing up you agree to receive email newsletters or alerts from POLITICO. You can unsubscribe at any time.
“We had to make some difficult decisions with this budget,” DeVos said during a Tuesday hearing before the House Appropriations subcommittee that oversees education spending. Democrats pounced on the proposed cut during the hearing, with Rep. Barbara Lee of California calling the plan “appalling.”Rep. Mark Pocan was among those who sparked a reaction on Twitter, sharing a video of an exchange in which he asks DeVos if she knows how many children would be affected by her plan. She did not. “It’s 272,000 kids. … I’ll answer it for you, that’s OK,” he informed her.
Pocan said Wednesday that what got missed in the viral moment was that there are other proposed cuts for special education grants to states and programs for those with visual or hearing impairments that would be “devastating” at the same time DeVos proposed increasing executive salaries in the department.
In her statement, DeVos pointed to the department's $13.2 billion request — the same level appropriated by Congress — for funding under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act that would support 7 million students with disabilities. The money goes to states to help ensure students with disabilities have the resources and support they need.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
‘I’m praying for the Special Olympics’: A special-needs athlete responds to Betsy DeVosDerek “Tank” Schottle dreams of competing in the 2022 Special Olympics, but wonders how proposed funding cuts might affect support for an organization that has been at the center of his life for the past 18 years.
Read more »
Betsy DeVos under fire over funding cuts for Special OlympicsThe education secretary said 'we had to make some difficult decisions with this budget.'
Read more »
Betsy DeVos gets grilled in Congress over proposed elimination of Special Olympics fundingEducation Sec. DeVos struggled before a congressional subcommittee to defend at least $7,000,000,000 in proposed cuts to education programs, including eliminating all $18,000,000 in federal funding for the Special Olympics.
Read more »
DeVos blasted again for proposing cuts to the Special OlympicsFor the third year in a row, Democrats dinged Ed. Sec. Betsy DeVos for proposing to cut funds from the Special Olympics, after-school programs and support for students from low-income families. The difference is that this time, Democrats control the House
Read more »
Betsy DeVos: Deep cuts to Special Olympics, student programs warrantedIn the case of the $17.6 million cut to help fund the Special Olympics, DeVos suggested it is better supported by philanthropy and added, 'We had to make some difficult decisions with this budget.'
Read more »
Betsy DeVos slammed by actress Marlee Matlin over proposal to cut Special Olympics fundingThe 'Switched at Birth' actress urged for her Twitter followers to support the Special Olympics amid massive cuts Betsy DeVos aims to make on programs like it.
Read more »
DeVos criticized over plan to cut Special Olympics funding
Read more »
Betsy DeVos defends proposal to cut education spending and Special Olympics fundingEducation Secretary Betsy DeVos on Tuesday defended her request to cut billions of dollars from the agency's budget, and Democrats attacked her plan as outrageous and damaging to students who need the most help.
Read more »
The Latest: DeVos defends cutting Special Olympics fundingBetsy DeVos is defending her proposal to eliminate funding to the Special Olympics, saying that she 'loves' the Special Olympics' work but argues 'the federal government cannot fund every worthy program
Read more »
Betsy DeVos says Trump admin is 'committed' to students with disabilities as she calls to defund Special Olympics“It is unacceptable, shameful and counterproductive that the media and some members of Congress have spun up falsehoods and fully misrepresented the facts,” DeVos wrote in a statement on Wednesday.
Read more »