Up to five investigations could be ahead for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos as Democrats prepare to take the helm of the House of Representatives.
According to a Politico report, legislators are looking to scrutinize DeVos on a variety of issues, including college sexual assault policies, student loan forgiveness, and for-profit college regulation.
Though DeVos told reporters last week she is looking forward to working with Rep. Bobby Scott, D-Va., the expected incoming chairman of the House Education and Workforce Committee, an Education Department spokesperson declined to comment to Politico on how the department was preparing for an onslaught of oversight requests.
Scott, an outspoken critic of DeVos’s policies, has reportedly vowed to act as a check on the Trump administration’s Education Department. Other Democrats poised to take committee leadership positions and engage in oversight of the department include Rep. Rosa DeLauro, D-Conn., with the appropriations subcommittee overseeing education funding; Rep. Mark Takano, D-Calif., with the Veterans’ Affairs Committee; Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif., with the Financial Services Committee; and Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., with the House Oversight Committee.
DeVos’ decisions over rolling back Obama-era guidance on sexual assault on campus that would reportedly have victims cross-examined by their alleged assaulter and allowing states to use federal funds to arm public school teachers are just two that have drawn public criticism.
