One of the great promises of our democracy is the idea that everyone can have access to quality education. Children with special needs or those living in poverty should be able to access the same quality education as those more fortunate and have the chance to develop to their fullest potential. Pandemic schooling has made us all more grateful for public education, especially given the strength of our K-12 schools, colleges, and universities in Northern Virginia.

But today, the goal of offering every American a good public education is being sorely tested. The Trump Administration has sought to illegally eliminate the Department of Education. In particular, Trump and his accomplices have worked to weaken or end IDEA, which supports programs and provides resources for students with special needs. They are also hollowing out the Office of Civil Rights, which works to ensure equal opportunity for all students and to protect them from discrimination. The Trump Administration has weakened Title I, which helps school systems with large percentages of low-income students.

They have also severely undermined efforts to provide current and former post-secondary students with reasonable relief to alleviate the crushing weight of student debt. This Administration has made life worse for educators, schools, and students from kindergarten through the postgraduate level.

I have vigorously opposed these illegal attacks on America’s education system with legislation, my votes, and in person at the Department of Education – where I joined colleagues to bluntly tell Secretary of Education Linda McMahon that her actions are wrong and illegal. I have signed lawsuits opposing a variety of illegal actions by this administration in the area of education, including the mass firings of Department of Education staff and the elimination of key offices that were established in law and funded by Congress. I will continue to do all I can to support students, educators, and schools in Northern Virginia and across America.