WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) — Education Secretary Miguel Cardona was in the hot seat on Capitol Hill on Tuesday. He apologized to students and families for delays in the FAFSA process.
“We’re committed to getting it right and making sure we open doors to access to higher education for more students across our country,” Cardona said.
Rep. Glenn Grothman (R-Wis.) is worried that the glitches will continue in the future.
“Will you admit that you broke the FAFSA, which Congress intended to be implemented in a timely and error-free fashion?” Grothman asked.
“Yes, we have had significant delays that we’re working tirelessly to implement correctly,” Cardona responded.
However, many Republicans took the time during this hearing to call for Cardona’s resignation.
“You must resign,” Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) said.
Foxx criticized Cardona’s response to protests and antisemitism on college campuses across the country.
“If I were to grade your tenure as an administrator, I’d give you an F,” Foxx said.
Cardona said he is committed to campus safety but refused to bar pro-Palestinian protestors from having their student loans canceled.
“Hate has no place on college campuses, and every student deserves to learn in an environment where they can feel free to be themselves,” Cardona said.
Cardona requested a $22 million budget increase to expand staffing.
Rep. Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) wants that money to address both antisemitism and Islamophobia on campuses.
“How would flat funding impact the ability of the department to process these claims in a timely manner?” Hayes asked.
“It would impact it significantly,” Cardona said.