WHAT THEY ARE SAYING – CONFIRMED! (Vol. XX)

Supporters of more choice for parents and better opportunities for students offered praise to America’s new Education Secretary after her confirmation this afternoon and her plans to reform the failing system:

February 7, 2017

With Betsy DeVos’ confirmation by the Senate this afternoon and swearing-in later today, supporters of more choice for parents and better opportunities for students were quick to offer praise to America’s new Education Secretary and her plans to reform the failing system:

Senator Lamar Alexander: “And Betsy DeVos is committed to no more Washington mandates, no more national school board, no Washington mandates for vouchers, no Washington mandates for Common Core, no Washington mandates for the specific kind of teacher evaluation with Betsy DeVos in charge of the Department of Education.” 

Senator Tom Cotton: “In my conversation with Betsy DeVos, I found her to have a deep appreciation for the value of public schools and a special concern for the needs of the disadvantaged. I have every expectation she’ll return power to Arkansas parents, as I’ve long advocated for.”

Senator Jeff Flake: “Betsy DeVos has been an advocate for school choice and believes that every child should have the opportunity to receive a quality education, regardless of their zip code.”

• “I look forward to working with her to roll back the federal government’s reach into education and allow states and localities to determine what’s best for their students.”

Senator Cory Gardner: “When I had the opportunity to meet Betsy DeVos personally, she pledged to me that she would be an advocate for public schools, teachers and educational opportunity for all.” 

Senator Thad Cochran: “I met with Betsy DeVos, and received her commitment to public education, addressing the urgent needs of rural schools, and programs important to Mississippi children.”

Senator Richard Burr: “Betsy DeVos has dedicated her life to improving education, so I am glad she will continue to fight for all children as Secretary of Education.” 

Senator Rob Portman: “Betsy DeVos is the daughter of a public-school teacher, and I support her for the role of Secretary of Education because she has made clear in her response to questions that she will be a strong advocate for our kids and our public schools.”

Senator Ron Johnson: “No child, regardless of background or zip code, should be denied the opportunity to receive a first-rate education. I appreciate Ms. DeVos’ commitment to providing families with options for their children’s education, and I was pleased to support her today.”

Senator Jim Inhofe: “Throughout her 30-year career as an education reform advocate and as the Chairman for the American Federation for Children, Betsy DeVos has fought to give parents the ability to choose a better school for their children.”

• “This is the kind of reform that DeVos has long fought for in order to give parents of all students—including low-income, minority and special needs children—access to high-quality education.”

Senator Ted Cruz: “DeVos brings decades of remarkable experience advocating for policies and programs that empower families and remove barriers to academic choice.”

• “She will fight to take power away from the bureaucrats in Washington D.C. and return it to where it belongs – to parents and teachers back home in our local school districts.”

Senator Chuck Grassley: “I believe Betsy DeVos will perform the job of U.S. Secretary of Education faithfully and well.”

• “Mrs. DeVos has worked to help low-income families access the same educational choices that wealthier families routinely exercise.  That includes supporting charter schools, which are public schools, and which have been supported by the past several secretaries of education.  Her work on behalf of disadvantaged students makes her a good match for overseeing the federal role in education.”

Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker: ““Betsy DeVos is a passionate supporter of education reform, and as the next Secretary of Education she will work with the states to improve education for all Americans.”

• “Secretary DeVos will fight to ensure every child has the opportunity to reach his or her potential in the classroom, and will stand with parents who want to have the final say on where their children go to school – not government bureaucrats.”

Former Florida Governor Jeb Bush: “Millions of families share Secretary DeVos’s vision for disrupting a failed status quo that has denied too many children access to a quality education. It’s time to upend the entrenched special interests that put adults above genuine reforms that will raise student achievements.”

• “Under Secretary DeVos’s leadership, I am confident the federal government will loosen its grip on our education system and return power to states and parents where it rightfully belongs.”

David McIntosh, President Of The Club For Growth: “Betsy DeVos’ work for school choice presents a clear threat to the status quo of the teachers unions and they declared war on her nomination.”

Jim Geraghty, National Review: “Most Senate Republicans don’t particularly care how much teachers’ unions furiously denounce DeVos. The teacher’s unions are among the biggest financial supporters of Democrats.”