Congresswoman Angie Craig Urges Secretary DeVos to Abandon Rule Diverting COVID-19 Relief Away From Public Schools

Today, U.S. Rep. Angie Craig sent a letter to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos opposing their interim final rule interpreting the equitable services provision of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act).

"The Department has distorted the plain language of the CARES Act to potentially divert federal emergency aid dollars intended for public schools to private school students. Students in Minnesota public schools will lose more than $10 million due to this rule that advances the Administration's ideological agenda but violates both the letter and intent of the CARES Act," said Rep. Angie Craig. "Our students deserve the best education and I'm will fight to make sure that's what they receive."

You can read the full letter

Rep. Craig is a champion for schools, teachers and students. She has strongly advocated for the bipartisan IDEA Full Funding Act to make sure the federal government fulfills its obligation in funding special education – which will alleviate some of the pressures our schools face that cause them to rely on passing referendums to fund our schools. Additionally, she has cosponsored the Rebuild America's Schools Act of 2019, which would invest in rebuilding physical grounds of schools and increasing broadband access and the Safe Schools Improvement Act of 2019. This legislation will help schools and school districts develop and improve anti-bullying and anti-harassment initiatives to reduce the consequences of bullying using existing funds.