Washington, D.C. – Today, Rep. Lois Frankel (FL-21), member of the House Appropriations Committee, questioned Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on the department’s Fiscal Year 2021 budget request.

During the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies subcommittee hearing, Rep. Frankel asked Secretary DeVos a series of questions on the Department of Education’s new tax credit proposal, the proposed Title IX rule, and a potential plan for addressing the threat of a coronavirus.

Below is an excerpt from Rep. Frankel’s questioning:

“I just read an article where three banks that had been contributing [to the tax credit program] have now pulled out, because they found that there are 156 schools in Florida that are discriminating against people who are LGBTQ.

So, here's what I'm saying: we have a different philosophy.

I just want to say this. I think it is a mistake, I believe, for you to come in here to cut $6 billion-- to ask for a cut of $6 billion out of public education.

And then at the same time ask us or ask this Congress to set up a program so that, whether it's a corporation or person, a total of $5 billion can now go, instead of to the federal government to pay taxes, to some scholarship program that they could put money into a private institution that discriminates against people.

So, I think that's a mistake.”

For video of Rep. Frankel’s questions during the hearing, click here.

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