Hinson Asks Biden Administration for Answers on School Reopening

Press Release

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson sent a letter to President Biden requesting specific information on his Administration's plan to get children and teachers back in the classroom quickly and safely.

In a letter, Hinson specifically asked about coordination between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Department of Education to ensure schools are equipped to reopen. She expressed her willingness to work together to ensure funding passed for schools in the American Rescue Plan is used by schools that are making an effort to reopen safely.

"Last year, Congress sent $67.5 billion to elementary and secondary schools for safe reopening measures. This $67.5 billion is not an insignificant amount, and much of it remains unspent while our schools are still closed. We are currently considering another $129 billion. The obstacle to getting our students back in the classroom is not a monetary one, but rather an administrative one. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has said repeatedly, our schools should be the last to close and the first to reopen,"wrote Congresswoman Hinson. "I am worried that every day that goes by of our students staying home is another day closer to our next generation being lost. We have seen the mental and emotional toll this has taken on our children. The CDC is reporting that from March to October 2020, the proportion of emergency room visits for mental health emergencies increased by 3 percent for children ages 12-17, and by 24 percent for children ages 5-11. Something must be done quickly."

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