Cardona to Go Before Senate This Week

Inside Higher Ed

Kery Murakami

February 1, 2021

The Senate education committee will take up confirmation of President Biden’s pick for education secretary, Miguel Cardona, on Wednesday, the committee announced.

Patty Murray, the Democratic chair on the committee, has already backed the nomination of Cardona, formerly Connecticut’s commissioner of education.

“It’s clear that he is an excellent choice for Secretary of Education who will bring the right experience and priorities to the role,” Murray said in a statement Jan. 13 after a phone conversation with Cardona. “As a fourth grade teacher, principal, superintendent, professor and Education Commissioner of Connecticut, he has always been focused on ensuring every student — no matter their zip code, the language they speak, their race, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability — can reach their full potential,” she said.

“Dr. Cardona’s personal story of growing up in public housing and learning English as a second language is a testament to the power of public education, and has driven him to champion the needs of students of color, students from families with low incomes, and English learners throughout his career,” Murray said.

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