Davenport, IA – President Biden announced that the U.S. Department of Education could use its oversight powers to take potential legal action against Iowa and a handful of other states that have banned schools from requiring students and teachers to wear masks.
According to the statement, Governor Reynolds said that President Biden should turn his focus to immigration issues and getting American citizens out of Afghanistan.
U.S. Secretary of Education Cardona had sent a letter to Gov. Reynolds and Iowa Department of Education Director saying that Iowa’s state law is at odds with the Department of Education’s planning process for districts that are returning to school.
The letter was part of a push from the Biden administration to pressure Iowa and seven other states that have banned mask requirements in schools.
Biden said he has directed the federal department to use its oversight authority against state leaders opposing universal masking in schools.
As we all know by now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has recommended all students, staff and visitors at school districts wear masks, regardless of vaccination status.
Governor Reynolds has criticized this guidance, and Iowa’s Republican legislative leaders have stood by their passage of the law banning school mask requirements despite the change in guidance.