DeVos decries ‘shameful’ media ‘falsehoods’ on Special Olympics budget cuts

Education Secretary Betsy DeVos on Wednesday denounced what she described as “shameful” media coverage of “falsehoods” about the Department of Education’s proposed funding cuts to the Special Olympics.

“It is unacceptable, shameful and counterproductive that the media and some members of Congress have spun falsehoods and fully misrepresented the facts,” DeVos said in a statement.

{mosads}”Make no mistake: we are focused every day on raising expectations and improving outcomes for infants and toddlers, children and youth with disabilities, and are committed to confronting and addressing anything that stands in the way of their success,” she added.

DeVos issues statement on Special Olympics controversy. pic.twitter.com/kznGJnNpJ6

— Erica L. Green (@EricaLG) March 27, 2019

DeVos faced criticism after appearing before a House subcommittee on Tuesday and revealing that the department proposed cutting nearly $18 million in federal funding to the Special Olympics.

“I think Special Olympics is an awesome organization, one that is well supported by the philanthropic sector as well,” DeVos said Tuesday.

DeVos reiterated that position in her statement Wednesday, saying that she has “personally supported” the Special Olympics but added that it raises more than $100 million every year in private donations.

She also said there are “dozens of worthy nonprofits” supporting students and adults with disabilities “that don’t get a dime of federal grant money.”

“Given our current budget realities, the federal government cannot fund every worthy program, particularly ones that enjoy robust support from private donations,” she added.