North Carolina congresswoman, who chaired a committee hearing with Education Department Secretary Miguel Cardona, gave grades of F overall and in each of the five specific areas that are currently hot-button issues.
Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., warmly welcomed him, recalling how she had greeted a leader of his caliber during his confirmation. As the chairwoman of the Committee on Education and Workforce in the U.S. House of Representatives, she proceeded to outline the shortcomings and failures of both K-12 and post-secondary education in a concise eight-minute speech.
Foxx, for the second time in just 92 days, has called for Cardona to step down from his position.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Foxx delivered a scathing assessment, stating, “You have failed on all the major fronts.” However, there are several specific concerns that need to be addressed today. Among them, the department’s inability to safeguard young women through its Title IX rewrite, its failure to facilitate the return of employees to in-person work, and its inability to pass the 2023 financial audit.
“I believe that each of these failures can be attributed to the initial failure – the federal government’s intervention in education. The Constitution does not mention education, and for good reason. Education thrives when it is managed locally. Instead of continuing down the same path, as the president’s budget suggests, we should focus on reducing the influence of the Department of Education, which has derailed our educational system.”
President Ronald Reagan once famously said, “I’m from the government, and I’m here to help,” which encapsulates the widespread skepticism towards governmental assistance.
Cardona stated that his reason for attending was the budget.
He emphasized that the purpose is not to create a spectacle for the media or to promote divisions that fuel culture wars and political sideshows, which ultimately do not contribute to the success of our young people.
Foxx shared a “Committee Report Card” on social media, grading Cardona’s performance with an overall F. The report card highlighted five specific categories, all of which received an F grade. These categories included combating antisemitism on college campuses, using taxpayer dollars in a legal and appropriate manner, FAFSA rollout, protecting women and girls, and complying with congressional oversight.
Cardona emphasized the importance of Title IX, stating that federal regulations should take precedence over state regulations. He expressed his concern about leaders selectively choosing which students to protect, which he deemed as unacceptable.
Completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid helps determine if you are eligible for student financial aid.
Colleges have experienced a significant decline in moral and institutional legitimacy due to the rise of antisemitism and pro-Hamas protests on campuses, according to Foxx. Throughout the past seven months, these issues have become increasingly prevalent, leading to a pressing need for a strong response. Foxx has consistently advocated for a firm approach in addressing antisemitism on campus and has set an example in doing so.
“You, however, have consistently avoided acknowledging the anti-Semitic nature of the ‘from the river to the sea’ chant. I view this as a lack of moral clarity, which makes you unsuitable for holding public office. I called for your resignation back in February, and given the recent campus riots, I am even more determined in my stance. I reiterate once more that you must step down.”
According to Foxx, Cardona’s department failed to heed warnings and mishandled both the implementation of FAFSA simplification and the return to student loan repayment. Despite being granted an additional year by Congress, the rollout of FAFSA still experienced delays. Furthermore, the soft launch on December 30th was plagued with glitches. Foxx described these events as a “bungle” on the part of the department.
According to Foxx, the delays in packaging aid offers have had a detrimental impact on students and universities. A recent survey of financial aid administrators revealed that more than 30% of schools have not yet started packaging aid offers due to the delay. As a result, FAFSA completion rates have dropped by 30% nationwide, with low-income students likely experiencing even greater declines. Universities are anticipating a decrease in enrollment for the upcoming fall semester, which could be even more severe than during the pandemic.
“Choosing to attend college is a significant decision that can shape the trajectory of one’s life. It is disheartening to see that some students, particularly those with limited financial resources who rely on the FAFSA, have been denied this opportunity. As a result, they may have to postpone their education indefinitely. This is the aspect that concerns me the most. May 1 was supposed to be a day for students to make their college decisions confidently. However, due to the inefficiency of the system, these students are still stuck waiting for financial information, feeling paralyzed by the situation.”