Education 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.
Democrats were also cold to DeVos' plan to use the federal tax code to support private-school scholarships, suggesting that the secretary's priorities will face another tough year in Congress."I believe this budget is cruel, and I believe it is reckless," said Rep. Rosa DeLauro , who leads the education subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee and presided over the hearing Tuesday.
Even the top Republican on the panel, Rep. Tom Cole , said that while some proposed reductions make sense, others are"somewhat shortsighted." Overall, the budget plan would cut more than $8.5 billion, about 12%, from the Education Department. Programs that would face cuts include one that supports after-school activities for children in impoverished communities, as well as a grant program for textbooks, equipment, counseling services and other needs for schools. That pool of money — the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program — also underwrites school safety efforts, including mental health services and safety equipment.
The proposal would give individuals and corporations a 100% tax credit for contributions to state-sanctioned scholarship funds, meaning that donors could get back their entire donation through federal taxes. The money would be given to students to help pay for tuition at private schools and for other expenses.
"Are you saying that the problem really is that black children are just more of a discipline problem?" Rep. Katherine Clark asked.
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