Education Secretary Betsy DeVos defended President Donald Trump’s proposed Department of Education budget that would significantly reduce financial support of programs that benefit students with disabilities, including the Special Olympics.
Transcription:
U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos defended
President Donald Trump’s 2020 Department of Education budget proposal.
“We had to make some difficult decisions with this budget.” – Betsy DeVos, US Education Secretary
The proposal requests slashing funds for programs that support students with disabilities, including Special Olympics.
“It’s 272,000 kids that are affected.” – Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.)
“Let me just say that I think Special Olympics is an awesome organization, one that is well supported by the philanthropic sector as well.” – Betsy DeVos
Devos donated $50,000 of her salary to Special Olympics in 2018.
“How can you support this budget? I mean that genuinely. You’re the secretary of the Department of Education. How can you support, and maybe even take pride or boast about taking 10 percent away from teachers and away from students?” – Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.)
Pocan – “We have cuts that go in the special education grants to states. You have a 7.5 million cut to the National Technical Institute for the Blind, a 13 million dollar cut for Gallaudet University, a 5 million dollar cut for federal program for print books for blind students. I have two nephews with autism, what is it that we have a problem with children who are in special education? Why are we cutting all of these programs over and over within this budget?” –Mark Pocan
This budget proposal is preliminary and it is likely many of the proposed cuts will be rejected or adjusted by Congress before it’s approved.
You found our Mighty Video hub! Here you can watch all Mighty-produced videos to date.
themightyvideo