“I strongly condemn the Trump Administration’s proposed plan to abolish the Department of Education. This reckless move would not only jeopardize the future of our students but would undermine the very foundation of our nation’s educational system. Education is the cornerstone of opportunity, and for our Bronx scholars, it’s the pipeline to success, the pathway to the middle class, and the gateway to future career opportunities.

The Department of Education’s budget is critical to students’ futures—funding Pell Grants, student loans, and Title I programs, which support low-income students. Additionally, the department provides vital resources for students with disabilities. These funding sources are lifelines for millions of students, including many in the Bronx, and are essential to ensuring that our youth have equal access to the opportunities they deserve.

In the past three years, we have invested over $50 million to ensure our schools have the resources they need to succeed—creating STEM labs, equipping classrooms with cutting-edge technology, and bridging the digital divide. We believe that every child, regardless of zip code, deserves access to the same high-quality education as any other community.

To abolish the Department of Education is to widen the inequality gap and deny our children the chance to succeed. It’s a direct attack on the future of our youth and would exacerbate the challenges we already face in underfunded schools. Our students deserve more, not less.

I stand with parents, educators, colleagues in government, and advocates who are united in rejecting this proposed plan. We will continue to fight for equitable resources, quality education, and the future of our students. The Bronx will not allow anyone to strip away the tools our children need to succeed.”