I rise to speak about the nominee for the Department of Education, Betsy DeVos. I cannot vote for her confirmation. The mission of the Department of Education, as mentioned, ``is to promote student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness by fostering educational excellence and ensuring equal access.'' The Department achieves this by establishing policies on Federal financial aid for education and distributing as well as monitoring those funds, collecting data on America's schools and disseminating research, focusing national attention on key educational issues, prohibiting discrimination, and ensuring equal access to education. After considering that mission, I do not believe Betsy DeVos should be the next Secretary of Education. Surely we can agree that every child in the United States should have access to a first-rate education to ensure a chance of a good job and good pay. I know this from my own life experiences and, in particular, the impact that a good teacher can have on a young child. You see, my first grade teacher, Mrs. Frances Wilson, God rest her soul, attended my law school graduation. I would not be standing here were it not for the education I received, and I know that to be true for so many of our colleagues in the Senate.…
On the recordFebruary 6, 2017
Share
More from Andy Harris
Aug 24, 2026
Let’s be clear: these are not harmless hemp products. They’re intoxicating, unregulated, and widely available resulting in devastating numbers of children being hospitalized.
Aug 8, 2026
I don't think it is good for anyone. It's not good for democracy. You get to know your constituents, your constituents get to know their representative. That's important in a representative government like we have.
Jul 26, 2026
I think Mr. Mamdani in New York says exactly where the party is. He wants government-run everything. That's called communism. That's way beyond socialism. That's communism.
Aug 8, 2026
The governor certainly led the charge in trying to eliminate the only Republican in the Maryland delegation in furtherance of his presidential aspirations.





