Sen. Cruz to Secretary of Education: Follow the Science and Reopen Schools

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Following the Senate's confirmation of Miguel Cardona as Secretary of Education, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) today called on the Biden administration to follow the science and get America's schools fully reopened so students can safely resume in-classroom learning:

"Newly confirmed Secretary Cardona needs to prioritize America's children, follow the science, and open all public schools for full-time, in-person education. I have long believed that every child deserves access to a quality education, and that should not disappear in a pandemic. Billions of dollars have now been allocated for the safe reopening of schools, and yet Democrats are choosing to ignore science-backed recommendations that support returning children back to the classroom. With only 40 percent of students in school five days a week, Democrats are failing our children. Secretary Cardona needs to follow the science and get America's schools fully reopened and students back into the classroom now."

BACKGROUND

According to the Burbio School Opening Tracker, just 41.9 percent of children K-12 are in the classroom five days a week, while virtual-only learning is 31.7 percent, and a hybrid approach consisting of part in-person and part virtual learning is 26.4 percent.

In February, Sen. Cruz published an op-ed for FoxNews.com highlighting the need for school choice in the wake of Democrats' mass school closures and details from a recent Centers for Disease Control report, which reads in part:

"As many schools have reopened for in-person instruction in some parts of the US as well as internationally, school-related cases of COVID-19 have been reported, but there has been little evidence that schools have contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission. [...] With 2 vaccines now being distributed under Emergency Use Authorizations and more vaccine options anticipated to be available in the coming months, there is much hope on the horizon for a safer environment for schools and school-related athletic activities during the 2021/22 school year. Committing today to policies that prevent SARS-CoV-2 transmission in communities and in schools will help ensure the future social and academic welfare of all students and their education."

READ: Sen. Cruz on FoxNews.com: COVID, teachers union school madness is hurting our kids - that's why choice is vital

Last month, Sen. Cruz proposed a budget amendment to boost funding for Education Freedom Scholarships and vocational and technical jobs retraining grants to help students and workers have a brighter future. The costs of these programs would be covered by ensuring that the federal government recoups the $30 billion in fraudulent unemployment benefits irresponsibly paid out by the State of California.

Last Congress, Sen. Cruz introduced the RECOVERY Act, legislation that would help kids get back to school safely by establishing a tax credit to promote school choice, expanding 529 savings accounts, and establishing a tax credit for PPE in schools.

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