Senator Hassan Participates in Floor Debate in Opposition to Betsy DeVos’s Nomination

Senator Hassan Participates in Floor Debate in Opposition to Betsy DeVos's Nomination

Senator Highlighted Stories of Granite Staters Concerned with Mrs. DeVos's Nomination

WASHINGTON - Today, Senator Maggie Hassan participated in the floor debate on Betsy DeVos's nomination, highlighting that Mrs. DeVos is completely unqualified and unprepared to serve as Secretary of Education.

"All public officials - regardless of their party affiliation - should share a reverence for the importance of public education to our country's success, both now and into the future. And they must show a commitment to enforcing our laws so that all students have the opportunity to succeed. I agree with my colleagues that Mrs. DeVos has not shown a commitment to, or an understanding of, these principles - and that is why I oppose her nomination," said Senator Hassan today in comments delivered on the Senate floor.

Senator Hassan stressed Mrs. DeVos' lack of experience with public education, as well as her support for diverting taxpayer dollars to private schools without accountability requirements, which would undermine efforts to ensure that every child has access to the education they need to be competitive and successful leaders in the 21st century economy.

"Mrs. DeVos demonstrated a complete lack of experience in, knowledge of and support for public education. She was unable to address basic issues that any New Hampshire school board member could discuss fluently," Senator Hassan said.

Senator Hassan also highlighted the stories of the thousands of constituents who have reached out to her office expressing fear for what Mrs. DeVos's confirmation would mean for their families, saying, "Mrs. DeVos's unfamiliarity with IDEA, her comments on students with disabilities was something my office heard about often from Granite State parents who contacted the office with concerns about her nomination."

Senator Hassan spoke of a constituent from Concord who said she was feeling "vulnerable" about the future of her stepdaughter, who experiences both physical and cognitive disabilities, as a result of Mrs. DeVos's nomination.

"Parents across our nation deserve to know that the rights of their children will be protected - and they are rightfully concerned with Mrs. DeVos's nomination," Senator Hassan stated.

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