Experts slam Republican bill to strip funds from schools unless they reopen

[turbinetree]

By Dan Desai Martin -June 12, 2020 1:38 PM

'It is outrageous to threaten schools to open no matter what in the middle of a pandemic,' said Rep. Andy Levin.

Two House Republicans introduced a bill on Thursday that threatens to withhold federal funding from any schools that do not reopen this fall.

The legislation was met with immediate pushback.

"First and most fundamentally, it is outrageous to threaten schools to open no matter what in the middle of a pandemic, when tens of thousands of Americans are dying," Rep. Andy Levin (D-MI), vice chair of the House Education and Labor Committee, said in an email on Thursday.

Levin added, "Republicans have yet to offer any real support to create a safe environment for students or educators."

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.

https://americanindependent.com/gop-bill-force-schools-reopen-coronavirus-federal-funding-pandemic-education-covid-19/

-snip-

The number of coronavirus cases has been spiking in several states that pushed to reopen quickly, against the advice of health experts.

Since early June, 11 states have had record numbers of new cases, including Arizona, Florida, and Texas.

Arizona, for example, had 20,123 confirmed coronavirus cases on June 1 and 31,525 cases on Friday morning. The number of deaths increased from 917 to at least 1,130 during the same time period.

In addition to more cases, nine states saw a sharp spike in coronavirus-related hospitalizations following Memorial Day.


-snip-

Health experts specifically warned against reopening economies too early.

"The consequences could be really serious if cities, states, or what have you, jump over those various checkpoints and prematurely open up, without having the capability of being able to respond effectively and efficiently," Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, told a Senate panel in mid-May. "My concern is that we'll start to see little spikes that will turn into outbreaks."

Williams, a father of three, said, "Barring a dramatic improvement in public health conditions, we're not sending our kids back in the fall," adding that he and his wife "will be waiting until we're sure the federal government is taking this seriously and responding in a way that is going to make it possible."

[louis-t]

1. Andy is my rep. I never have to call or email my reps.

They are always fighting for us. Second, what kind of evil fuck wants to send kids into a dangerous situation under threat of pulling funds? And why would any parent think that's ok?

[turbinetree]

3. Its just like the side show that is going to happen next week in Tulsa, they want the "followers" to

sign there own death certificate, just so he can massage his ego, next up kids would have to do the same thing.............or there parents.............

[soothsayer]

2. Jeezus

They’re just ... I don’t even know. Insane? Sadistic? Reckless?

[dweller]

4. they are coming for

the children


✌🏼

[stillcool]

5. Republicans don't like funding education...

but I guess they want kids somewhere so their parents can make money for the stock market, or at least make employment numbers look good. They are so effed up...

The "Reopen Our Schools Act," introduced by Reps. Jim Banks of Indiana and Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, would prohibit 2020 federal funds from going to any school — from elementary schools through colleges and universities — that did not reopen for in-person learning by Sept. 8, according to a press release from Banks' office.

"We need to change the subject from 'our schools might not reopen in the fall' to 'our schools will reopen in the fall and here's what we need to do it,'" Banks said.

The text of the bill was not available as of Friday morning, and the press release did not indicate that the legislation would provide any funding to help schools reopen safely. It did note that the secretary of education can create a waiver process for schools, but no additional details were provided.

[Ohiogal]

6. These despicable fuckwads

Have always been salivating to shut down public education and think now is their best chance.

[jayfish]

7. Gosh, Where's All The Wailing And Gnashing Of Teeth...

from the rank and file RW about "Defund the schools"? I'll give you a hint. You aren't going to hear it. They'll run with it. They'll beat down or ignore any opposition. In the end they'll do it and 2-6 years later no one will remember.

[Renew Deal]

8. It's not going to pass so...

Move on to other things

[keithbvadu2]

9. But no accountability for forced exposure to coronavirus?

But no accountability for forced exposure to coronavirus?

[CRK7376]

10. The last 3 months

have been very challenging for this Title 1 high school teacher. Most of our kids are black and brown. When we went home Friday March 13th, many of us suspected we would be shut down and sure enough it happened. Our school issued over 700 laptops and hotspots provided by Verizon. Most of my kids participated in some way. Some did everything, some did here or there and some did nothing. Governor Cooper said no the the RNC Raleigh and with good riddance, trumpster took his circus of horrors to Jacksonville. Gov Cooper will also push back this nonsense to reopen schools before it's safe too. Then the GOP want to slash funding for schools not opening....