Civil and Human Rights Coalition Urges Senators Flake and McCain to Vote Against DeVos Nomination

WASHINGTON—Wade Henderson, president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, issued the following statement urging Senators Jeff Flake and John McCain to oppose the DeVos nomination for Education Secretary. Republican Senators Murkowski of Alaska and Collins of Maine have both declared their opposition to this nominee. That means that either senator could cast the deciding vote against Betsy DeVos:

“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 Senators Flake and McCain have a moral obligation to stop her from overseeing the education of Arizona’s children.

This is not the time for Arizona’s senators 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 they should demonstrate their independence on, it’s this.

Arizona 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.

Senators Flake and McCain, vote against the DeVos nomination, Arizona’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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