Republicans are issuing a stern warning to Randi Weingarten, the head of the American Federation of Teachers (AFT), threatening to subpoena her if she fails to provide evidence of her alleged collaboration with the Biden administration to impede the reopening of schools during the COVID pandemic. Weingarten is accused of pressuring the administration to keep schools closed and allow teachers to work remotely.
The House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, led by Rep. Brad Wenstrup, has given Weingarten a deadline of May 30 to comply with their demands for information or face legal consequences. Specifically, the Republicans are investigating whether non-governmental groups, including AFT, exerted undue influence on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to keep schools shuttered.
During a congressional hearing in April, Weingarten confirmed that the CDC consulted with AFT leadership regarding school reopening guidance. She also revealed her communication with Biden’s transition team on school closures, claiming to have had a direct line to CDC Director Rochelle Walensky.
The Republicans have expressed frustration with AFT’s lack of cooperation, stating that the union has continued to stonewall their requests for information. They are seeking transcribed interviews with AFT employees, documents and communications between Weingarten and the Biden transition team, as well as phone records and text messages between Walensky and Weingarten regarding COVID school closures.
AFT spokesperson Michael Bromwich has responded, stating that they are willing to cooperate in providing information that falls within the committee’s mandate.
Amidst the controversy, a recent study has revealed significant declines in math and reading scores among American children during the pandemic. Weingarten, who has been criticized for supporting policies that kept schools closed, has attempted to deflect blame for the decline in test scores. Her statements about the pandemic’s impact on all aspects of life, including education, have sparked outrage and accusations of gaslighting.
Weingarten has a history of opposing efforts to reopen schools, including clashes with former Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos. She had previously stated that full-time, in-person schooling as it was before the pandemic would not be feasible.
It remains to be seen how Weingarten will respond to the Republicans’ demands, but the subpoena threat underscores the seriousness of the accusations and the ongoing debate over the reopening of schools.
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