WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Senator Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, today said the Committee favorably reported the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education. Roberts said he is optimistic about the new leadership at the Department of Education and called for a swift confirmation. The Committee vote was 12-11.

“I attended public schools, and my wife and I chose to send our children to public schools and universities,” Senator Roberts said. “I understand the importance and proud tradition of public schools in Kansas. I want to ensure every child receives a high-quality education.”

In response to the concerns of Kansans, Senator Roberts spoke with DeVos and secured her strong support for the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Senator Roberts has long called for full federal funding of IDEA and expressed his interest in working with her to find areas where IDEA can be strengthened.

Roberts said, “She gave me her commitment that she will fully enforce and implement the Individuals with Disabilities in Education Act.”

Roberts has spoken with her about improving the implementation of the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), including his provision, which permanently ended the federal government’s ability to use any incentive or tool of coercion to force states to adopt Common Core – or any future set of standards.

“I welcome the opportunity to work with Mrs. DeVos to ensure Kansans can make their own decisions about the best way to improve education, free from federal interference,” said Roberts. 

“The President and his team fully understand that a one-size-fits-all education system just does not work. I have spoken with Mrs. DeVos numerous times, and I am confident she is the right person for the job. I urge my colleagues to quickly confirm her.”

Roberts questioned DeVos at her hearing before the Senate HELP Committee on reducing burdensome regulations hindering education. He mentioned a roundtable at Washburn University that highlighted 34 areas of federal regulation that are costly and impactful to schools around Kansas.

“Clearly we need to work together to eliminate many of these burdensome regulations that hinder institutions of higher education’s main goal, which is to educate our students effectively and efficiently,” Roberts said at the hearing. To watch that hearing, go here.

The nomination now goes to the full Senate for consideration.