DeLauro, Lowey Statement on Secretary DeVos Considering Arming Teachers

WASHINGTON, DC – Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Ranking Member of the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations Subcommittee, and Congresswoman Nita Lowey (NY-17), Ranking Member of the Appropriations Committee, today released the following statement upon reports that Department of Education Secretary Betsy DeVos is considering using federal funds to arm teachers.

"Arming teachers is not the answer to school shootings, and it is outrageous that Secretary DeVos would even consider using taxpayer dollars on such a dangerous proposal. If the Trump administration actually wants to keep students safe, it should allow the Federal Commission on School Safety to consider the role guns play in school violence, support funding for gun violence prevention research at the CDC, and fully fund the Student Support and Academic Enrichment program to provide more mental health services and bullying prevention programs in our schools."

"Instead, President Trump and Secretary DeVos want to strip vital resources from our schools and shell out millions to the gun lobby. This proposal is reckless and wrong, and House Democrats will work to block this outrageous waste of money from ever being implemented."