Van Hollen Statement in Support of Miguel Cardona to Serve as Secretary of Education

Today, U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) released the following statement regarding his vote to confirm Miguel Cardona to serve as Secretary of Education:

“After four years of Secretary DeVos’s efforts to promote greater privatization of our education system and dismantle the civil rights of students, Miguel Cardona is the person we need to restore the promise of America’s schools. A former public school teacher who went on to be a leader in the same district where he was once an English learner, Dr. Cardona has demonstrated a lifelong commitment to our public schools and the belief that all children are entitled to a quality education in a safe and nurturing learning environment. He also has a proven track record of effectively responding to the pandemic, helping students overcome the digital divide, and safely reopening schools as the Connecticut Education Commissioner. 

“The pandemic has upended our education system, disrupting learning and exacerbating inequities. From day one, as Secretary of the Department of Education, Dr. Cardona will need to be prepared to meet the challenges facing our students and educators -- from addressing learning loss and social, emotional, and mental health to reversing declining higher education enrollment rates and a sky-rocketing affordability crisis. Additionally, as deep disparities continue to shortchange low-income students, students of color, and students with disabilities, Dr. Cardona will be a key partner in working toward closing these funding and educational opportunity gaps in Maryland and across the country.                              

“I am proud to support Dr. Cardona’s nomination, and I look forward to working together to at last make good on our promises to fully fund Title I and IDEA, to expand access to quality early childhood education and community schools, and to ensure higher education is accessible for everyone.”