On June 6, 2017, the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services (HHS), Education and Related Agencies heard testimony from U.S. Department of Education (ED) Secretary Betsy DeVos on the President’s Fiscal Year (FY) 2018 proposed budget for ED. [Webcast of the hearing]
Key Issues Discussed:
- Members and Secretary Betsy DeVos discussed the President’s budget request, which cuts $9.2 billion, or 13 percent, from the U.S. Department of Education’s (ED) budget and includes cuts to or the elimination of various ED programs.
- Secretary DeVos said the budget reflects ED’s priorities of refocusing spending on supporting States and school districts, simplifying higher education funding and improving college education affordability.
- Secretary DeVos and Members discussed the potential applicability of Federal civil rights requirements to private schools and their students participating in federally funded educational choice programs.
- Secretary Devos defended ED’s investment in school choice programs when asked multiple times by Members if they took important funds away from formula grant programs.
- Members asked questions regarding Federal financial aid and loans, including Pell Grants, undergraduate subsidized loans, Federal Work Study programs, Public Service Loan Forgiveness and Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants.