Toomey Statement on Betsy DeVos

Member Group : U.S. Senator Pat Toomey

Toomey’s Statement on the Vote to Confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Senator Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) issued the following statement regarding the vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as the Secretary of Education:

"I am pleased to vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education. Betsy DeVos has spent nearly three decades of her life, tens of millions of dollars, and considerable personal energy toward one noble goal: ensuring that poor children trapped in failing schools have the same opportunities that wealthy and middle class kids already have.

"She has worked for children, parents, and teachers to give low-income children the chance to escape crime and poverty. And let’s face it, too many students are not getting that chance. Their families cannot afford tuition for a private school. Nor can they afford to move to a more affluent neighborhood with a good public school.

"Because of Betsy’s work to expand charter schools, virtual schools, school choice, tuition tax credits, and education savings accounts, hundreds of thousands of children who had been trapped in failing schools have been able to access a quality education.

"She understands that reform should begin with parents and communities.

"Mrs. DeVos is dedicated to enforcing the rights of students with disabilities and giving students with disabilities the best education possible—including giving their parents the freedom to choose the best school or environment to help their children thrive.

"Too many American kids are being left behind every day. That is not acceptable to Betsy DeVos, and it is not acceptable to me."

Elizabeth "E.R." Anderson
Communications Director
U.S Senator Pat Toomey
248 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
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