Secretary Cardona Testifies about the Fiscal Year 2023 Budget Proposal

On Thursday, Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies to defend the Fiscal Year (FY) 2023 budget proposal. Subcommittee Chair Rosa DeLauro (D-CT) praised the budget proposal for its increases in funding to address systemic underfunding of public education at the federal level, and for emphasizing mental health, among other programs. Ranking Member Tom Cole (R-OK) raised concerns around increased federal spending and its impact on the deficit. However, he pointed to the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) as a shared priority across the aisle and acknowledged that Congress has not upheld their responsibility to adequately fund IDEA. In his opening remarks, Cardona said, “the teaching profession is in crisis,” and many members followed up with questions about supporting the educator pipeline. Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA) highlighted the need to address educator mental health, Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL) cited low teacher pay as a recruitment and retention challenge, and Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) suggested that the Subcommittee hold a separate hearing to examine educator shortages in depth, to which Chair DeLauro agreed. Secretary Cardona’s testimony will be taken into consideration as the Subcommittee drafts its funding bill for FY 2023.

To view the hearing, go here.