**Click to watch Senator Capito's opening statement here Or click on the image above. **
**Click to watch Senator Capito's questions to Secretary Cardona. here.**
Washington DC – Today, U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito (R-Va.), Ranking Member of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies (Labor/HHS), announced the appointment of Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education (Education) asked. Miguel Cardona during a public hearing to consider the department's budget request for fiscal year (FY) 2025.
In his opening statement, Ranking Member Capito spoke about the rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses across the country, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), chronic student absenteeism, and the prioritization of federal funds to the most successful local programs. focused on the issue of ranking, and the administration's proposed charter. Cuts in school funding.
During questioning, Ranking Member Capito pressed Secretary Cardona about the Biden administration's failure to roll out the new FAFSA form and how it is impacting students in West Virginia and across the country. Ranking Member Capito also pressed the Secretary on the timely issue of the disturbing rise of anti-Semitism on college campuses. And how The Biden administration plans to address this issue.
Last week, Ranking Member Capito sent a letter to Secretary Cardona and Attorney General Merrick Garland pleading with them to restore order to campuses that have been effectively shut down by anti-Semitic mobs targeting Jewish students. Click here to read the letter and view a timeline of Ranking Member Capito's efforts in this area.
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On the disturbing rise in anti-Semitism on college campuses, especially at Columbia University:
Ranking member Capito: “Students should not feel unsafe on campus. But just last week, Columbia University had to move classes online and Jewish students were told off campus. RAbi went home because it was no longer safe on campus.. aAnd late last night, protesters occupied Hamilton. HToday everything is on campus and the university is on lockdown… TI can't accept him at all. So, Secretary Cardona, do you think what's happening to Jewish students at Columbia and other universities in this country is okay?? ”
SEC. Cardona: “Absolutely not. What's happening on our campus abominable. There is no place for hate on our campus. I am very concerned about reports of anti-Semitism. I spoke with Jewish students who were afraid to go to class because of the harassment they were experiencing on campus.That is unacceptable and we will do our best to, As the Ministry of Education, Comply with Title VI enforcement. WThere are 137 unsolved cases. We take this very seriously. We have increased our communication to campuses to ensure they have what they need regarding laws and best practices to ensure safety.They are protect students. Lgot it, as an educator, lifelong educator, Protecting our students is our greatest responsibility. We take it seriously. And, as you know, beTisThe xenophobia we have seen on campus is unacceptable. ”
Ranking member Capito: “unacceptable,wAgree. ”
About the Department of Education's current efforts to monitor anti-Semitism at Columbia University:
Ranking member Capito: “do you have people in Is Columbia currently checking what is happening on the ground? Do you have staff to monitor you? ”
SEC. Cardona: “there is no I am currently a staff member at Columbia. ”
Ranking member Capito: “do of The Office of Civil Rights Is there anyone over there? ”
SEC. Cardona: “I there is no staff at columbia university, I would also like to share with you that a public survey is being conducted at Columbia University. ”
About the FAFSA form that forces potential students to abandon their hopes for higher education:
Ranking member Capito: “I would like to move on to the FAFSA. Because I brought it up in my opening statement.Data used, I've posted the graph here for everyone to see.: Nationally, the number of new students decreased by 36%Iwest virginia, 40% reduction… Did you apologize?Have you ever said 'I know we've really messed this up and we need to– we need to do it better, Not just students, But so are institutions.' I give you chance to respond.”
SEC. Cardona: “aabsolutely. I spoke directly to parents and students. I sat with them while they filled out the FAFSA. We at the Financial Services Agency have worked to bring 28 million borrowers back into repayment. I changed my servicer, but this FAFSA, a better FAFSA-”
Ranking member Capito: “you He also worked to forgive large amounts of student loans. it is We spent a lot of resources on this while not focusing on the basics for people trying to go to college for the first time. time. “
SEC. Cardona: “I would We welcome the opportunity to interact with the people of West Virginia. Please share the strategies we are working on. We look forward to working with you to make higher education more accessible to the people of West Virginia. It takes approximately 15 minutes to complete the form.West Virginia students are processing whether to apply today, bThe university will receive information on Friday.. WMore than 8.2 million cases processed-”
Ranking member Capito: “aRe you Currently being processed accurately?”
SEC. Cardona: “YoThat's right, we are exactly process-“
Ranking member Capito: “TThere was a hat of problem toah.”
SEC. Cardona: “circleWe have made these corrections to ensure that the information is processed accurately. ”
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