Elizabeth Warren Just Launched A New Tool to Expose Trump and DeVos
Senator Elizabeth Warren is no stranger to confrontation. She’s made a name for herself holding powerful bankers, CEOs and other industry leaders accountable, especially those accused of abusing consumers. Her commanding cross examinations in the Senate and other hearings have become the stuff of legend.
Since his victory in last year’s presidential election, Sen. Warren has been determined to hold Trump and his administration accountable, as well. One administration official in particular caught Warren’s ire during Senate confirmation hearings: Trump’s unqualified, unprepared Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos.
Last week, Sen. Warren formally unveiled “DeVos Watch,” her new project to ensure Secretary DeVos and her department are transparent about one very important aspect of their job: managing the nation’s $1 Trillion student loan program.
In a blistering Op-Ed and accompanying video, Sen. Warren challenged Secretary DeVos to ensure students are her priority – not the big banks.
“Last week, Secretary DeVos and President Trump’s Department of Education released a budget that would upend the student aid program and make it much harder for students to afford college and repay their student loans. At the same time, the head of the federal student aid office abruptly resigned amid reports of political meddling by DeVos.
“That’s why today I am announcing a new project to hold Secretary DeVos’ Department of Education accountable. DeVos Watch will seek information about the Department’s actions and inactions around federal student loans and grants and highlight the findings. People can also participate directly by tracking the Department’s actions, submitting oversight suggestions or filing whistleblower tips.”
Senator Warren led the effort to vote down Secretary DeVos’ appointment – and nearly succeeded. Only 50 Republicans voted for her, forcing Mike Pence to cast the rarely employed tie-breaker vote afforded to the sitting Vice President in his role as President of the Senate. Since that razor-thin confirmation, Warren announced she would be monitoring the Department of Education to insure Secretary DeVos was doing her job.
“DeVos Watch” is just the latest attempt to follow through on her pledge. You can read more about Senator Warren’s new initiative here.
