Mike Pence pushed governors to reopen their schools and cited an economic analysis showing the country would take a 50 billion hit if schools stay closed

Get the Full StoryDrew Angerer Getty Images

Vice President Mike Pence pushed governors to reopen their public schools during a Tuesday call in which he cited the adverse economic impact of school closures.

Pence argued that continuing to keep kids at home to help contain the spread of the coronavirus is untenable given the significant negative impacts on learning and mental health, among other concerns.

Betsy DeVos, the secretary of education, said all schools must reopen this fall and be "fully operational." She condemned districts that are reluctant to fully reopen as the coronavirus surges across the country.

Many Democrats, public health experts, and education leaders are critical of the administration's move to quickly bring kids back into schools even as the coronavirus surges in many parts of the country.

Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.

Vice President Mike Pence pushed governors to reopen their public schools during a Tuesday call with local leaders in which he cited the adverse economic impact of school closures amid the pandemic.

Pence argued that continuing to keep kids at home to help contain the spread of the coronavirus is untenable given the significant negative impacts on learning and mental health, among other concerns. He also cited an economic analysis by the White House's Council of Economic Advisers that he said found the US economy would take a 50 billion hit if all schools remain closed. See the rest of the story at Business InsiderNOW WATCH: Why you don't see brilliantly blue fireworksSee Also:Trump said he didn't like the way Madonna chews gum and insulted an Olympic figure skater's calves after they refused to date him, according to Mary Trump's new bookCongress could see an influx of QAnon conspiracists join its ranks following this year's election cycleWhite House chief of staff Mark Meadows defends Trump's false claim that '99 ' of coronavirus cases are 'harmless'SEE ALSO: 5 of the most shocking claims in Mary Trump's scathing tell-all book about the president

Share: