A Democratic congresswoman on Thursday rebuked Education Secretary Betsy DeVos
Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: GoDaddy CEO Aman Bhutani says DC policymakers need to do more to support ventures and 'solo-preneurs'; Federal unemployment benefits expire as coronavirus deal-making deadlocks Democrats look to go on offense in debate over reopening schools Pence, DeVos visit North Carolina school to advocate reopening MORE as "out to destroy public education."
Elizabeth (Betsy) Dee DeVosThe Hill's Coronavirus Report: GoDaddy CEO Aman Bhutani says DC policymakers need to do more to support ventures and 'solo-preneurs'; Federal unemployment benefits expire as coronavirus deal-making deadlocks Democrats look to go on offense in debate over reopening schools Pence, DeVos visit North Carolina school to advocate reopening MORE as "out to destroy public education." The remarks from Rep. Frederica Wilson
Frederica Patricia WilsonHouse passes bill establishing commission to study racial disparities affecting Black men, boys Florida county official apologizes for social media post invoking Hitler GOP struggles to confront racial issues MORE (D-Fla.) came during a tense House hearing focused on DeVos's handling of students who claim they were defrauded by for-profit colleges.
Frederica Patricia WilsonHouse passes bill establishing commission to study racial disparities affecting Black men, boys Florida county official apologizes for social media post invoking Hitler GOP struggles to confront racial issues MORE (D-Fla.) came during a tense House hearing focused on DeVos's handling of students who claim they were defrauded by for-profit colleges."I've had some honest disagreements with my friends in the Republican Party on how to move education forward but I have never — not one time — believed they were out to destroy public education until I met you," Wilson told DeVos during the House Education and Labor Committee hearing.
"You are the most unpopular person in our government. Millions will register to vote in 2020 and many will vote to remove you more than to remove the president."
I'm glad that @BetsyDeVosED attended today's hearing on debt relief for defrauded students, but her answers about her refusal to provide that much-needed relief were extremely dissatisfying. pic.twitter.com/9OxcOw5kU0
— Rep Frederica Wilson (@RepWilson) December 12, 2019
DeVos didn't get the chance to respond, but Republicans on the committee said Wilson's comments crossed the line.
"I just have to say one of those last comments was over the line — absolutely over the line," said Rep. Virginia Foxx
Virginia Ann FoxxPelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive House fails to override Trump veto of bill blocking DeVos student loan rule The Hill's Coronavirus Report: BIO CEO Greenwood says US failed for years to heed warnings of coming pandemic; Trump: Fauci won't testify to 'a bunch of Trump haters' MORE (R-N.C.).
Virginia Ann FoxxPelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive House fails to override Trump veto of bill blocking DeVos student loan rule The Hill's Coronavirus Report: BIO CEO Greenwood says US failed for years to heed warnings of coming pandemic; Trump: Fauci won't testify to 'a bunch of Trump haters' MORE (R-N.C.)."To say that Secretary DeVos is trying to destroy public education is going too far, and I believe every one of my colleagues agrees. We all sat up very quickly when that comment was said. That kind of comment cannot stand in this committee."
Chairman Bobby Scott
Robert (Bobby) Cortez ScottPelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive Overnight Health Care: White House blocks CDC director from testifying before House panel | Fauci urges action on masks | Administration document says counties in 'red zone' should close bars, gyms White House blocks CDC director from testifying before House panel on reopening schools MORE (D-Va.) rebuffed a Republican request to strike the comments from the record but said members should "refrain from questioning the motives of the members and the witnesses."
Robert (Bobby) Cortez ScottPelosi huddles with chairmen on surprise billing but deal elusive Overnight Health Care: White House blocks CDC director from testifying before House panel | Fauci urges action on masks | Administration document says counties in 'red zone' should close bars, gyms White House blocks CDC director from testifying before House panel on reopening schools MORE (D-Va.) rebuffed a Republican request to strike the comments from the record but said members should "refrain from questioning the motives of the members and the witnesses." 