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DeVos defends plan to eliminate Special Olympics funding

By COLLIN BINKLEY
AP Education Writer
Education Secretary Bet-
sy DeVos on Wednesday
defended a proposal to
eliminate funding for the
Special Olympics, push-
ing back against a storm
of criticism from athletes,
celebrities and politicians
who rallied to support the
organization.
DeVos became a target on
social media after Demo-
crats slammed her plan to
remove the group's fund-
ing as part of nearly $7 bil-
lion in budget cuts for next
year. The Special Olympics
received $17.6 million from
the Education Department
this year, roughly 10 per-
cent of its overall revenue.
In a statement responding
to criticism, DeVos said she
"loves" the organization's
work and has "personally
supported its mission." But
she also noted that it's a
private nonprofit that rais-
es $100 million a year on
its own. Ultimately, she ar- Education Secretary Betsy DeVos arrives for a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing on budget on Capitol Hill in Washington,
gued, her agency can't af- Tuesday, March 26, 2019.
ford to continue backing it. Associated Press
"There are dozens of wor-
thy nonprofits that support that enjoy robust support ways,” he said on MSNBC. Olympics funding in its pre- funding for the program,”
students and adults with from private donations." “This is a new Special Olym- vious budget proposal, too, said Sen. Roy Blunt, R-Mo.,
disabilities that don't get Special Olympics Chairman pics. We are actively en- but Congress ultimately chairman of the Senate
a dime of federal grant Tim Shriver on Wednesday gaged in the educational increased funding for the subcommittee over the ed-
money," she said. "Given pushed back against the purposes that the country group. Lawmakers indicat- ucation budget. Blunt said
our current budget realities, proposed cut. has articulated at the fed- ed that the latest attempt he’s a “longtime supporter”
the federal government “This is not the old Special eral level.” will also fail. “Our Depart- of the group and recently
cannot fund every worthy Olympics, it’s not my mom’s The Trump administration ment of Education ap- attended its World Games.
program, particularly ones Special Olympics in some tried to eliminate Special propriations bill will not cut Continued on Page 3