House Democrats unsatisfied after meeting with education secretary
(NewsNation) — House Democrats who met with Education Secretary Linda McMahon on Wednesday say she could not provide answers to their questions and they're still concerned about the plan to dismantle her department.
In a press conference afterward, they said there is no plan for oversight of the money Trump wants sent to the states, nor any plan on how McMahon would dismantle the agency while fulfilling its legally mandated support for students.
McMahon, who joined the press conference briefly, said, 'I welcome the fact that these folks came today and expressed their concerns and shared, in an open, collegial format, their concerns and how we can lead now to work more together.'
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Several Congress members said they were grateful for the meeting and pointed out that it's the first time a Cabinet secretary has met with House Democrats despite numerous requests.
Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., said it was 'refreshing' that McMahon indicated that before she moves the functions of the Department elsewhere, she is looking at the statute to see what she can do. Despite the president's executive order, only Congress can eliminate the department.
But that's where the niceties ended.
Takano said in the meeting they demanded, but were not given, a timeline for closing the Education Department, asked how civil rights would be enforced, and wanted more information on contract cancellations and employee terminations.
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'I'm afraid that all these firings at the Office of Civil Rights means that students with disabilities, students that are facing discrimination because of antisemitism or islamophobia, students who are facing discrimination based on race or gender or sexual orientation, aren't going to have the Office of Civil Rights able to enforce their rights against discrimination around this country,' said Takano.
Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, was concerned some governors might not use the money the federal government sends to the states for education if the department doesn't oversee it. Escobar also cautioned that some governors may send it to politically friendly districts while underfunding districts that aren't as supportive.
The Democrats also did not think it was appropriate to compare closing a government agency with reorganizing a business.
'Our children are not a corporate enterprise,' Rep. Melanie Stansbury, D-N.M., said.
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McMahon said this was about the children of America and that 'funding from the United States government will continue through the programs that have already been established.'
Today's meeting came after at least 75 Democratic House members sent McMahon a letter requesting a meeting to discuss the firing of about 1,300 department staffers.
There will be additional meetings with McMahon and other members who signed the letter.
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