August 24, 2018 - San Francisco – Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi issued this statement on reports that Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is considering diverting resources from federal grants dedicated to low-income schools’ mental health and anti-bullying initiatives to allow states to purchase guns for teachers:

“If implemented, the Trump Administration’s unprecedented plan to ransack mental health and anti-bullying funding to pay for the arming of teachers would be one of the most egregious, short-sighted and dangerous executive branch abuses of our education system in modern history.  This policy perfectly showcases the culture of corruption, cronyism and incompetence of a Trump Administration that refuses to listen to the needs and voices of our children, educators, parents and schools leaders. 
 
“From day one, the Trump Administration has fought to eviscerate public education and deny resources to the neediest of students.  Secretary DeVos continues to lead an anti-student and anti-teacher campaign on behalf of special interests and the NRA that rejects proven and effective initiatives to ensure a safe, welcoming school climate for children.  The Trump Administration should be supporting underfunded initiatives such as critical mental health services and anti-bullying initiatives, hire more school counselors and expand after-school programs, instead of pushing this disastrous, dangerous plan to bring firearms into our schools.

“Members of Congress have a duty to protect the American people.  If the Trump Administration continues to pursue this shocking policy and refuses to uphold the integrity of the Every Student Succeeds Act, Congress must step in and take action to defend students and teachers from President Trump’s attacks.  House Democrats will never stop fighting For The People, with strong action to protect our students, teachers and schools.”
Source: Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi