New Rule by The U.S. Department of Education Would Misdirect $11M from Oregon Public Schools

The Representatives and Senators responded to an interim final rule from the U.S. Department of Education that incorrectly interprets the equitable services provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) and improperly diverts federal emergency aid dollars intended for public schools to private school students—without regard to need or income. Their letter details the numerous ways that the Department's rule disregards the CARES Act and existing law, including waiving the mandatory 30-day waiting period for this rule to take effect. 

"Secretary DeVos continues to willfully disregard the intent of the CARES Act, which is to help students in our public schools get through the pandemic by providing equitable assistance," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "Public school teachers and staff in Oregon are working hard to prepare for the coming school year, and they need all the resources we can deploy to educate students safely and equitably. We will not allow this unlawful, ideological ploy by Betsy DeVos to push through a misguided rule that would take $11 million from our public school students and send it to private schools."