Civil and Human Rights Coalition Urges Senator Fischer to be Deciding Vote Against DeVos Nomination

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement urging Senator Deb Fischer to cast the deciding vote opposing the DeVos nomination as Education Secretary. Republican Senators Murkowski of Alaska and Collins of Maine have both declared their opposition to this nominee. That makes Senator Fischer’s vote the deciding factor as to whether Betsy DeVos, who has never been a public school student, parent or supporter nor has she worked in a public school or school system in any capacity, will be the Secretary of Education:

“Betsy DeVos has done nothing to demonstrate that she’s qualified to be the Secretary of Education. She’s never been a public school student, parent, supporter, or worked in a public school or school system in any capacity and Senator Fischer has a moral obligation to stop her from overseeing the education of Nebraska’s children.

This is not the time for Senator Fischer to go along to get along. President Trump has shown that he is willing to lash out against those who oppose him but if there was any issue that Senator Fischer should demonstrate her independence on, it’s this.

Nebraska needs a Secretary of Education with a clear commitment to enforcing our education laws and protecting the civil rights of all students. Betsy DeVos has failed in this regard.

Several Republican senators have already voiced their opposition and Senator Fischer would be the deciding vote against DeVos. Senator Fischer, vote against the DeVos nomination, Nebraska’s children are depending on you.”

Wade Henderson is the president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, a coalition charged by its diverse membership of more than 200 national organizations to promote and protect the rights of all persons in the United States. The Leadership Conference works toward an America as good as its ideals. For more information on The Leadership Conference and its 200-plus member organizations, visit www.civilrights.org.

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