Bonamici Statement on DeVos’ Consideration of Using Federal Funds to Arm Teachers

WASHINGTON, DC [08/23/18] – Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01) issued the following statement after a report was published by The New York Times stating that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos may permit the use of federal grants to arm teachers.

"Secretary DeVos and President Trump's latest plan to allow school districts to use federal funding meant for mental health services and other important student support programs to buy guns is irresponsible and dangerous," said Congresswoman Suzanne Bonamici. "This is not a solution for school safety; this will instead endanger students' lives and rob them of resources that would help them be successful.

"Congress created the Student Support and Academic Enrichment Grants in the Every Student Succeeds Act with the express intent to improve educational opportunities for our nation's students, not to make schools war zones by allowing the purchase of guns for teachers.

"Secretary DeVos must abandon this reckless proposal and use her authority and common sense to uphold the law as Congress intended. Congress has an important precedent on the prohibition of using federal funding to buy guns for schools. If Secretary DeVos and President Trump choose to pursue this proposal, Congress must do its job and intervene to protect students and teachers."

Bonamici is a leader on the House Education and the Workforce Committee and a member of the House Gun Violence Protection Task Force. She has long been a strong advocate for legislation to prevent gun violence.

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