Sweeney slams DeVos over Special Olympics cuts

New Jersey politicos aren’t pleased with U.S. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s proposal to cut all federal funding for the Special Olympics.

“It’s sad, inexcusable & unacceptable to fill holes in a budget by cutting the #SpecialOlympics,” Senate President Steve Sweeney said on Twitter. “The loss of inclusive sports for people w disabilities would be devastating to countless athletes & families, my family included — shame on you @BetsyDeVosED.”

Sweeney’s daughter was born with a developmental disability. Since her birth, he’s championed funding for special education and similar programs.

DeVos’s proposed cuts would reduce the federal education budget by $7 billion. The cuts include the $18 million the federal government devotes to the special Olympics alongside smaller cuts to grants the federal government provides to fund state special education programs.

“@BetsyDeVosED – individuals with disabilities are not charity, they are people,” Sweeney tweeted. “@SpecialOlympics is dedicated to promoting social inclusion through shared sports training & competition and has a lifelong impact on everyone involved!”