Vote Happening Today: Tell Senators to Oppose Ken Marcus for Education Civil Rights Office
Take Action: The Senate will likely vote TODAY on the confirmation of Kenneth Marcus to be Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights. Marcus has shown neither the ability nor the willingness to stand up for the civil rights of all students. Call your senators (202-224-3121) and urge them to oppose his confirmation.
The Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights (OCR) has a unique responsibility to enforce core nondiscrimination laws in schools. These laws were enacted in response to the widespread denial of equal protection and equal opportunity by states, districts, and schools, and – although considerable progress has been made in the decades since these laws were passed – they continue to serve a vital function in the face of ongoing discrimination.
President Trump’s nominee to head OCR, Kenneth Marcus, has not demonstrated a willingness, nor an ability, to enforce civil rights law and protect all students in our country from discrimination. Therefore, he would not be an effective leader of OCR.
The reason senators should oppose Marcus is simple. At a time when civil rights are under constant attack, OCR requires a leader who is committed to enforcing civil rights laws and standing up to the Trump-DeVos discriminatory agenda. During his confirmation hearing, Marcus was asked to “name a single example of something President Trump has said or done when it comes to discrimination or women’s rights or civil rights you disagree with.” In response, despite Trump’s numerous offensive, inappropriate, and widely denounced remarks, Marcus offered only “I couldn’t say, senator.” That’s unacceptable.
Take Action: The Senate will likely vote TODAY on the confirmation of Kenneth Marcus to be Assistant Secretary of the Office for Civil Rights. Marcus has shown neither the ability nor the willingness to stand up for the civil rights of all students. Call your senators (202-224-3121) and urge them to oppose his confirmation.