House Democratic lawmakers are pushing Education Secretary Betsy DeVos to kill reported internal considerations to make federal funding available to states and school districts wishing to buy weapons for staff members and provide them with firearm training.
“Students and school staff deserve a learning environment that is safe, welcoming, and conducive to quality instruction and student learning,” Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., and Rep. Jerrold Nadler, D-N.Y., wrote in a letter dated Tuesday, but that was widely circulated Wednesday.
Scott and Nadler, writing in their capacity as the top Democrats on the House Education and Workforce Committee and the Judiciary Committee, respectively, were joined in condemning the possible Department of Education action by almost every member of the House Democratic caucus.
“Arming teachers would not only jeopardize student and staff health and safety, but also run counter to Congressional intent, precedent, and common sense,” they continued. “We urge you to clearly and unequivocally disallow the arming of teachers using ESEA funds intended to improve equity of educational opportunity.”
A spokesperson for the department did not respond to several requests for comment from the Washington Examiner.
The New York Times reported last Wednesday that the Department of Education was considering using money from the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program to help finance the controversial school safety measures. The program was established by the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA, a piece of legislation that was amended by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
CNN, however, reported the following day that the Trump administration was denying that the idea originated within the department. Instead, it had reportedly been given the proposal by the Texas Education Agency before lawyers and researchers were asked to offer advice and guidance.
Regardless of where it came from, Democrats in the letter slammed the initiative because the grants program was introduced to “ensure low-income students have access to improved educational opportunities.”
“Using program funds to put more guns in schools is counter to the program’s statutory purpose and Congressional intent,” the letter stated.
DeVos has until Aug. 31 to respond to the lawmakers’ criticism.
[Also read: Betsy DeVos’ new sexual misconduct polices favor accused, schools: Report]
