Pressure on DeVos Continues

During her confirmation process, calls jammed the Senate switchboard and constituents sent over 1 million emails in opposition to Betsy DeVos. Over the past couple of months, though DeVos has shied away from the spotlight, frustrations with her policies have not died down. Things came to a climax the other week when DeVos and the Trump Administration released a budget proposal calling for $10.6 billion in cuts to federal education initiatives. The proposal eliminated dozens of programs including teacher training, career and technical education, after-school enrichment, literacy interventions, and class-size reduction. Just hours after the budget proposal was released, over 20,000 emails bombarded the Department of Education, expressing dismay over the priorities outlined in the plan.

However, emails are only so effective. According to Emily Ellsworth, a former congressional staffer from Utah, “A phone call from a constituent can hold more weight than an email, and far outweighs a Facebook post or a tweet.” Calls from constituents are the best way to form a one-on-one connection that leaves a lasting impression. Lawmakers cannot ignore them, and they ensure your issue is at the top of their mind.

Massive education cuts have the potential to affect millions of Americans. It is now up to Congress to support or oppose the Administration’s budget. A Winning Connections program can ensure that lawmakers know where their constituents stand, projecting their voices loud and clear.