GOP panel may subpoena teacher’s union leader Randi Weingarten in COVID policy investigation.

Republicans Threaten to Subpoena AFT President Randi Weingarten Over Remote Learning Policies

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are threatening to subpoena American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten as part of an investigation into remote learning policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic, chaired by Rep. Brad Wenstrup (R-Ohio), is a panel under the House Oversight Committee leading the GOP investigation into “the societal impact of decisions to close schools, how the decisions were made, and whether there is evidence of widespread learning loss or other negative effects as a result of these decisions.”

During the pandemic, schools across the nation were closed, with many students learning remotely on Zoom or similar services. This transition to remote learning was followed by falling educational outcomes, with students underperforming, compared with their peers a few years ago.

Weingarten is accused by Republicans of having colluded with President Joe Biden’s administration to keep schools closed and teachers working under the comparably easier remote model.

In a letter to Michael Bromwich, legal counsel for AFT, the second largest teacher’s labor union in America, Wenstrup wrote that the committee “is investigating whether non-governmental groups exercised undue influence on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) scientific guidance.”

In April, both Bromwich and Weingarten confirmed that the AFT had advised the CDC on education policy during the pandemic.

But Wenstrup maintained that Republicans have had difficulty getting additional information from the AFT despite being “reasonable” and “[seeking] to accommodate” any concerns AFT had.

“Despite our continued and repeated reasonable accommodations, AFT continues to frustrate the Select Subcommittee’s investigation,” Wenstrup wrote.

“Unless an agreement can be reached soon, we will be forced to consider the use of compulsory process.”

The panel’s first request to the AFT came on March 28, 2023, when lawmakers sought documents and data of the AFT’s communication with the CDC.

Nearly a month later, on April 19, the AFT produced a handful of documents “with an assurance” that they comprised the entirety of the AFT-CDC communications.

On April 26, Weingarten herself testified before Wenstrup’s panel, where lawmakers learned for the

What’s Happening?

Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are threatening to subpoena American Federation of Teachers (AFT) President Randi Weingarten as part of an investigation into remote learning policies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Pandemic is leading the GOP investigation into the societal impact of decisions to close schools, how the decisions were made, and whether there is evidence of widespread learning loss or other negative effects as a result of these decisions.

Why is it Important?

During the pandemic, schools across the nation were closed, with many students learning remotely on Zoom or similar services. This transition to remote learning was followed by falling educational outcomes, with students underperforming, compared with their peers a few years ago. Republicans accuse Weingarten of colluding with President Joe Biden’s administration to keep schools closed and teachers working under the comparably easier remote model. The investigation aims to determine whether non-governmental groups exercised undue influence on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) scientific guidance.

What’s Next?

Republicans have had difficulty getting additional information from the AFT despite being reasonable and seeking to accommodate any concerns AFT had. Unless an agreement can be reached soon, they will be forced to consider the use of compulsory process. The panel’s first request to the AFT came on March 28, 2023, when lawmakers sought documents and data of the AFT’s communication with the CDC. Nearly a month later, on April 19, the AFT produced a handful of documents “with an assurance” that they comprised the entirety of the AFT-CDC communications. On April 26, Weingarten herself testified before Wenstrup’s panel, where lawmakers learned for the

Key Takeaways

• Republicans on the House Oversight Committee are threatening to subpoena AFT President Randi Weingarten as part of an investigation into remote learning policies during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The investigation aims to determine whether non-governmental groups exercised undue influence on U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) scientific guidance.
• Republicans accuse Weingarten of colluding with President Joe Biden’s administration to keep schools closed and teachers working under the comparably easier remote model.
• Unless an agreement can be reached soon, Republicans will be forced to consider the use of compulsory process.

Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.

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