Educators call on Congress to reject heartless Trump/DeVos budget

WASHINGTON - Reacting to the release of Donald Trump’s budget request, National Education Association President Lily Eskelsen García released the following statement:

“Today’s budget release shows us once again just how out of touch Donald Trump and Betsy DeVos are with parents, students, and educators across the nation.

“The Trump/DeVos budget continues pushing schemes that will result in deep funding cuts to public education, including $5 billion for a private school voucher program that will take already scarce money out of public schools. And by turning Every Student Succeeds Act funding for schools into a block grant program, this budget would effectively make deeper cuts to funding for our students in communities with the greatest need.

“If that wasn’t enough, the administration’s heartless proposal would cause American children to go hungry as nutrition assistance programs are slashed while massive cuts to Medicaid would leave them unable to visit a doctor when they are sick.

“That is why educators are calling on Congress today to reject the Trump/DeVos budget, and instead move forward with responsibly funding our public schools and investing in our nation’s students.”