Betsy DeVos in the days following the tragic Marjory Stoneman Douglas school shooting was directed by President Donald Trump to create a commission to find ways to end school gun violence, especially massacres like the one in Florida. The Education Secretary took her time assembling the committee and even longer to have the first meeting.
Little, if anything appears to have been accomplished. The only members are four Trump Cabinet Secretaries. There are no Democrats, experts, or students own the committee. And there have been many school shootings since Parkland.
In testimony before the Senate Appropriations Committee DeVos Tuesday morning revealed the huge mistake she’s made, thanks to questioning by Democratic Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont.
Sen. Leahy reminded DeVos that “one day after the commission met last month, another ten students and teachers were killed in Santa Fe, Texas.”
“Will your commission look at the role of fire arms as it relates to gun violence in our schools?” Sen. Leahy asked directly.
“Thanks Senator for that question,” DeVos replied, which she tends to do when there’s a question she doesn’t want to answer. Doing so uses up time.
“It is an honor to serve and lead this commission,” DeVos continued, stalling. “We are focused on the 20-some provisions –” DeVos continued, trying to eat up time without actually answering the Vermont Senator’s question.
Interjecting, Leahy said: “I’ve tried to give you a question that could be answered yes or no.”
He asked the question again: “Will your commission look at the role of fire arms as it relates to gun violence in our schools?”
And he finally got his answer.
“That is not part of the commission’s charge, per se,” DeVos replied.
“I see,” Leahy responded. “So, you’re studying gun violence but not considering the role of guns.”
DeVos tried to reframe his remarks.
“We’re actually studying school safety and how we can ensure our students are safe at school,” she claimed, offering a condescending smile, and ignoring the fact that the commission was created in direct response to the Parkland shooting massacre.
Leahy continued his questioning, getting more pushback and refusal to give straight answers.
“Do you believe an 18-year old high school student should be able to walk into a store and minutes later come out with an AR-15 style gun and hundreds of rounds of ammunition?” he asked.
“I believe that’s very much a matter for debate,” DeVos replied, despite being charged with keeping school students safe.
After more back and forth Sen. Leahy summed up.
“So we’ll look at gun violence but not look at guns. An interesting concept,” he concluded.
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