On Tuesday, March 23, Education Secretary Betsy DeVos defended deep-cuts to programs meant to help students and others, including the elimination of $18 million that supports the Special Olympics.

DeVos defended her budget’s overall approach, but still faced questions during that Tuesday’s hearing. Democratic Representative Mark Pocan of Wisconsin, spoke on how he has two nephews with autism.  

“Do you know how many kids are going to be affected by that cut, Madame Secretary?” Pocan asked Devos.

DeVos responded by saying, “We had to make some difficult decisions with this budget.”

It seemed that DeVos didn’t understand what the Special Olympics means to so many hardworking young people all across the world. On Wednesday, March 24, she defended the proposal once again, saying it is “not a federal program.”

LSE Special Education teacher Tyler Mathers is a first-year Unified Track Coach and saw what these budget cuts could mean for the participants. “Cutting the budget of the Special Olympics would mean that there would be less support given to the athletes and less opportunity. The Special Olympics fortunately receives a lot of volunteer support from people, but if more money was taken away from this event, then it would possibly mean inefficient accommodations that many of the athletes need,” Mathers said.

Just because it’s not a federal program, doesn’t mean budgets cuts should be made to it. “The Special Olympics is a hugely important event because it gives people with disabilities a platform to show their athletic talents. The event is about competing in different sporting events, not so much against each other but with each other. Every athlete and coach comes together to support everybody in being the best in their event,” Mathers said.

“It’s a private organization. I love its work, and I have personally supported its mission. Because of its important work, it is able to raise more than $100 million every year,” DeVos said. Eliminating its federal funding is a matter of “budget realities,” according to DeVos, as the government is unable to fund “every worthy program.”

There seemed to be some tension between Secretary DeVos and President Trump, which came to light when Trump seemingly tried to place all the blame on DeVos, speaking on how he did not want this. He declared that he had “overridden” his people and saved the Special Olympics.

President Trump considers Secretary DeVos a personal friend and “appreciates and respects the incredible job she is doing for students across the nation.“ However, many others would not say the same about DeVos. DeVos has been in the face of controversy constantly for her support of charter schools, saying that the government cannot fund “every worthy program.” That seems like a cheap-shot at the Special Olympics. The Special Olympics is a more-than-worthy program, and should not have its funding cut.

“In regards to the debate on the Special Olympics budget cuts, I’d say it’s a missed opportunity for a lot of people to view and embrace what hard work and overcoming adversity can look like,” Mathers said. Betsy DeVos needs to reevaluate which programs in the Education sector can handle budget cuts, and which ones just seem like a low-blow.