[Congressional Record Volume 167, Number 36 (Thursday, February 25, 2021)]
[Senate]
[Page S883]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]



                    Nomination of Miguel A. Cardona

  Mr. BURR. Mr. President, I rise today to support the nomination of 
Miguel Cardona to be the next Secretary of Education. He has the 
background, qualifications, and the temperament to serve in this 
position. Dr. Cardona has a meteoric rise from a classroom teacher to a 
school principal, to a commissioner of education for the State of 
Connecticut.
  I am glad the President has nominated him to lead the Education 
Department in such a challenging time for our Nation's schools.
  COVID-19 related school closures have led to significant learning 
losses, with millions of children stuck at home, trying to learn. 
Parents are at their wits' end because many of the adults running 
public schools across our country are failing to actually follow the 
science. We should be seriously talking about reopening schools as 
quickly as possible. That is what the science tells us, and that is 
what students need.
  Dr. Cardona testified before the Senate HELP Committee. He stressed 
the need for students to get back to school, and I am glad that is now, 
finally, a bipartisan mission.
  At the same time, each school district, college, university, State 
and local community faces different circumstances in dealing with this 
pandemic. Trying to treat them as a monolith instead of providing 
flexible advice for States and localities to use if applicable and 
useful would be a mistake.
  Dr. Cardona said he understands that one-size-fits-all mandates from 
Washington won't work. Dr. Cardona also agreed to be responsive to our 
oversight requests and to keep us updated on his plans and Department 
action. We won't agree on everything, but we should be able to find 
places where we can agree and we can move forward.
  I support the nomination of Dr. Cardona and look forward to working 
with him, and I encourage my colleagues to support his nomination as 
well.