Politics, Legal Fights Bedevil DeVos Doling Out Covid Aid – Bloomberg Government
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos faces legal challenges and political pushback over her handling of $2 trillion in coronavirus relief. The disputes threaten to slow aid to students and schools.
Restrictions that blocked assistance to undocumented and international students have landed the Education Department in court. And some states are refusing to carry out guidance that directs them to boost the share of pandemic relief to private schools.
DeVos says she has clarified how schools should comply with the CARES Act (Public Law 116-136). Critics say she has ignored the intent of Congress and is advancing ideological agendas with federal funds.
DeVos has turned to formal rulemaking to counter the pushback over the Education Department’s guidance on pandemic aid. An interim final rule set to take effect Wednesday blocks emergency coronavirus grants to students who aren’t eligible for federal Title IV funds such as student loans and Pell Grants.