Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) released the following statement condemning Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’s decision to no longer implement the Obama-era “borrower defense” and Gainful Employment rules set to take effect next month. The rules would have protected at least 3,000 students from predatory for-profit colleges:
“I am deeply disappointed that the Department of Education has decided to ignore the needs of thousands of Nevadans and delay the implementation of important rules protecting students. As a result of Secretary DeVos’s decision, impacted students will be left without the ability to apply for discharges of fraudulent student debt, which includes many Nevada veterans.
“Two weeks ago, Senator Dean Heller (R-Nev.) and I sent a letter to the Department, asking for details on the relief provided to Nevada students and veterans who were previously enrolled in failed colleges and universities. While the Department never responded to our letter, it has found the time to take a giant step backwards in assuring justice for Nevadans victimized by misleading and unfair practices.
“With today’s decision, Secretary DeVos is disregarding the law, affected students, and the need to protect taxpayers from failed colleges and universities.”
###