Education Secretary Betsy DeVos shocked the nation when she attempted to defend proposed budget cuts that would strip the Special Olympics of federal funding as well as slashing funding for special education programs.
Though GOP lawmakers have assured they will not cut the funding, it didn't stop DeVos from defending the decision, by claiming to value special education and the Special Olympics.
After criticism from Democrats on a Senate Appropriations subcommittee on education, DeVos said:
"I love Special Olympics myself. I have given a portion of my salary to Special Olympics. I hope all of this debate inspires private contributions to Special Olympics. Let’s not use disabled children in a twisted way for your political narrative, that is just disgusting and shameful and I think we should move on from that."
But for Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the assurance was hollow. Not only did Ocasio-Cortez call DeVos out for her Special Olympics proposal, but also for past decisions, like making it harder for sexual assault victims on college campuses to get justice and cutting student loan forgiveness.
Others felt the same.
Many pointed out other places cuts could have been made, highlighting just how reckless the spending of Trump's administration is, as well as the wealth of its officials.
The cuts are unlikely to be enacted, but we should be questioning why they were proposed in the first place.
