We really do have our work cut out for us. Betsy DeVos was not familiar with IDEA . During her hearing she testified that special education was funded by the individual states and had to be told about IDEA. AER, CEC and SDEA all have sent notices to us to contact our senators. I know that ND's senator needs your messages of support because she is up for re-election in two years and she is from a red state. You can forward messages to Rounds and Thune but unfortunately they have already committed to Betsy DeVos. It is down to one vote in the Senate. I am not sure when the Senate will be voting. I think they may hold up the vote on the next Attorney General until after the vote for the Secretary of Education because they need his vote on the Senate Floor before he is appointed to the Attorney General's position. It would be wise to contact your Democratic Senator immediately. If you have done it once-do it again. From: Dakota Chapter of AERbvi [mailto:SDT-DAER@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU] On Behalf Of Scepaniak, Amy Sent: Thursday, February 02, 2017 1:02 PM To: SDT-DAER@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU Subject: [SDT-DAER] FW: [AERNet] Secretary of Education Nomination Amy J Scepaniak, M.A. COMS/CLVT SDSBVI Outreach Vision Consultant 605-626-2589 From: AERNet [mailto:aernet-bounces@lists.aerbvi.org] On Behalf Of Anthony Candela Sent: Wednesday, February 1, 2017 5:06 AM To: aernet@lists.aerbvi.org<mailto:aernet@lists.aerbvi.org> Subject: [AERNet] Secretary of Education Nomination Yesterday, with a 12-11 vote, Betsy DeVos, President Trump's nominee to be the next Secretary of the federal Department of Education, was voted favorably out of the Senate HELP (Health, Education, Labor and Pensions) Committee and now advances to the Floor to the U.S. Senate for a final vote. Your AER Legislative Committee in an e-mail post to the Chair of the HELP Committee (Lamar Alexander) and its leading Democrat (Patty Murray) asked the Committee to ensure that Mrs. DeVos is committed to IDEA. As you know, the integrity of IDEA depends on a strong public school system. Nominee DeVos is best-known for her championing of vouchers for parents to send their children to private schools. Mrs. DeVos has testified she will uphold the integrity of IDEA and the public schools. Your Legislative Committee urges you, no matter which side of an issue you may be on, to communicate with your Senators and Representatives on issues of importance to you and to take part in visits to the Hill whenever possible. There will be such an opportunity just prior to the next AFB Leadership conference in March. Anthony R. Candela Co-Chair, AER Legislative Committee Rehabilitation Administrator/Consultant (510) 912-0969