President Trump Says Special Olympics Funding Will Not Be Cut
By Bill Galluccio
March 28, 2019
President Donald Trump told reporters that the Department of Education will continue to fund the Special Olympics. The decision is a sharp rebuke to Education Secretary Betsy DeVos who has been defending the decision to cut the $17.6 million in funds as part of her plan to reduce the agency's budget by seven billion dollars.
"I heard about it this morning,” Trump said. “I have overridden my people. We’re funding the Special Olympics."
Lawmakers grilled DeVos over the cuts and questioned why she wanted to increase funding to charter schools while complaining about being given too much money by Congress.
“You say this is about tough choices, but you’re also asking for more money for charter schools when you’re having trouble spending the increase Congress appropriated last year," Washington Senator Patty Murray said during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing. "This is not about tough choices, this is about you prioritizing your agenda over students with special needs.”
DeVos defended the decision to cut the funds, suggesting that private companies should step up and donate to the Special Olympics.
"I love Special Olympics," Devos said. "I have given a portion of my salary to Special Olympics. I hope all of this debate inspires private contributions to Special Olympics."
Photo: Getty Images