Randy Weingarten, president of the country’s second-largest teachers’ union, was appointed Wednesday to serve on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) school safety committee, The Daily Caller first reported.
Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), has been appointed a member of the Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council (HSAPC) along with 20 other members. The board will advise on issues such as school safety.
“Our academic and campus life leaders will have much to offer in assisting us in countering evolving and new threats to our homeland,” said the Department of Homeland Security. the chief said. Alejandro Mayorcas said in a statement: (Related article: Teachers union leaders collect huge six-figure salaries while fighting to close schools)
“The Homeland Security Academic Partnership Council’s insights into strategic research, innovation, career development, and departmental partnership opportunities support our mission to protect the American people and what threats our country faces in the future. I appreciate the willingness of each of the 20 Council members I have appointed today and look forward to receiving their guidance and recommendations,” said Mayorcas. added.
SCOOP: DHS is about to appoint Randy Weingarten to its council to advise on school safety…
More to come @DailyCaller
— Henry Rodgers (@henryrodgersdc) June 21, 2023
“The HSAPC provides advice and recommendations on matters that may or may not be relevant, depending on the Secretary’s mandate. exclusive to: safety and security, including prevention, response, mitigation, recovery, and other emergency management and preparedness measures; Improve coordination and sharing of actionable threats and security-related information, including threats of violence and prevention of targeted violence and terrorism. How to develop career opportunities to support his DHS workforce in the 21st century. Strengthening and expanding research opportunities such as the DHS Science and Technology Centers of Excellence and the joint DHS/National Security Agency Centers of Academic Excellence. ”
Randy Weinger of the Teachers Guild speaks to the people as he joins WGA East members walking the picket line at the Disney Upfront event at the Javits Center in New York City on May 16, 2023 Ten chairman. (Photo credit: Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Weingarten’s appointment sparked an immediate backlash from members of both houses of Congress. (Related: Randy Weingarten, Union Pension Agreement Ready to Raise Thousands of Dollars from Taxpayers, Analysis Finds)
Virginia Republican Rep. Ben Klein said, “Randy Weingarten chose to appease teachers’ unions during a pandemic rather than return students to classrooms.” Today, the country’s 13-year-old math and reading scores are in the worst decline in decades. Why does DHS reward bad policies?”
Randy Weingarten has chosen to appease teachers’ unions rather than return students to classrooms during the pandemic.
Today, the country’s 13-year-old math and reading scores are in the worst decline in decades.
Why does DHS reward bad policies? https://t.co/Rg0IBd0mgA
— Rep. Ben Kline (@RepBenCline) June 21, 2023
Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott said Weingarten was “the last person to advise anyone about school safety.” (Related: Teachers union president says Biden, Harris ‘really care about people’ in 2024 official endorsement)
.@rweingarten The last person to advise anyone about school safety. https://t.co/uzqgi9tzr5
— Rick Scott (@ScottforFlorida) June 21, 2023
Weingarten has faced a lot of criticism over school closures during the COVID-19 pandemic and testified before the House Oversight Subcommittee on how to handle it.
Weingarten testified that President Joe Biden’s transition team contacted the AFT to discuss reopening guidelines, and that the AFT and another union considered the guidelines prior to their publication.
