I wanted to take a moment to thank all of you for your calls, tweets, emails, letters and Facebook posts in opposition to the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be our Secretary of Education. I opposed Betsy DeVos because I believe our children need a champion of public schools as the Secretary of Education, not someone whose career has been spent trying to privatize public schools. I voted against Betsy DeVos because I believe victims of campus sexual assault need a Secretary of Education who will enforce the protections that President Obama put in place for victims so that perpetrators are held accountable. And I will hold Betsy DeVos accountable as Secretary of Education because children with disabilities deserve a Secretary of Education who will guarantee them a fair shot at an equal education.
While I am disappointed we lost this vote, this nomination was a fight because of you. By standing up and demanding accountability, you put a spotlight on Betsy DeVos’ record and President Trump’s reckless plan to cut funding for public education. By making your voices heard, you convinced two Republican Senators to vote against Betsy DeVos and forced the Vice President to break a tie vote on this thoroughly unqualified nominee. The vote may be over but today we begin holding Betsy DeVos accountable and I promise to lead the charge.
Every child deserves a fair shot at the American dream and that begins with a world class education. You can bet that I will hold Betsy DeVos accountable for delivering on the policies that make a fair shot for all of our children possible.
