Watch the deeply uncomfortable dressing-down House Democrats gave Betsy DeVos
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos testified on her department's budget before the House Appropriations subcommittee Tuesday, on the heels of her disastrous appearance on 60 Minutes last week. The hearing did not go much better: DeVos found herself facing a hostile crowd of Democrats, who expressed open frustration with her lack of answers. Watch some of the most uncomfortable moments below. Jeva Lange
Rep. Katherine Clark (D-Mass.): Is there some problem? Yes or no. Will you guarantee—
DeVos: I think I've been clear—
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Clark: Then say yes or no!
DeVos: Yes!
Clark: Okay, great. Thank you. Wow, it took a year.
Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.): Madam Secretary, you just don't care much about the civil rights of black and brown children. This is horrible.
Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.): What's the best way to prevent another young person from taking lives at the hands of a gun?
DeVos: I think there are a number of ways to address this, the president has been very clear in his focus.
DeLauro: What are they?
DeVos: There are ways to prevent young people from getting guns, who should not be having guns, from having them.
Clark: What about after-school programs? You also eliminated the 21st Century Community Centers, that's 80,000 kids in Florida alone.
DeVos: … There's no data to show [after-school programs] are effective in what the stated goal has been —
Clark: What do you mean there is no data? There is study after study after study.
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Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
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