NEWS RELEASE
SENATOR GARY PETERS
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U.S. Senator Gary Peters (MI) delivered a speech on the Senate floor last week opposing Linda McMahon’s nomination to serve as Secretary of Education. In his remarks, Peters underscored the importance of a strong public education system for the success of our country, and highlighted the need to protect the programs that ensure every student has the tools to succeed. Peters also voted against McMahon’s confirmation.
“Education is the cornerstone of academic achievement, career development, and lifelong learning in our society,” said Senator Peters.
“A strong public education system is critical to not only our nation’s economy, but community safety, social mobility, and the health of our democracy.
“Instead of working to protect funding for the programs that support our students, improve classrooms, and help recruit the hard-working teachers that we so desperately need today, Mrs. McMahon made it clear that she has, well, other priorities.”
Peters also shared his concerns with McMahon’s support of a private school voucher system, which would divert funding from public schools.
“During her committee hearing, she blatantly supported efforts to dismantle our education system, including taking funding away from our public schools and using it to make investments in private schools,” said Senator Peters.
“Mrs. McMahon and others have tried to sell this as ‘school choice’ but we know that it is basically a voucher program that will ultimately give private schools the ability to hand-pick students and close their doors to everyone else. Private schools have no requirement to serve students with disabilities, students with mental health needs, or homeless students.
“If confirmed as Secretary of Education, the quality of our American education will certainly decline, and our children will ultimately suffer the consequences.”
Senator Peters is the product of Michigan public schools. After graduating from Rochester High School, he attended Alma College, where he earned a B.A. in Political Science. His father was a Michigan public school teacher and National Education Association union member for more than 30 years.
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