PRESS RELEASE

Defense of Freedom Institute Launches to Fight for School Freedom, Opportunity at Work

Policy veterans Eitel, Blew to lead first-of-its-kind organization which will hold federal agencies accountable

Washington, D.C.—As students, families, workers and entrepreneurs face unprecedented federal intrusion into their daily lives, the Defense of Freedom Institute for Policy Studies (DFI) launched today to advance freedom and opportunity for all Americans and to protect their constitutional and civil rights at school and at work.

“Our focus will be on making sure every American is free to choose the school, work, and life that is best for them,” said Bob Eitel, President and co-founder of DFI.  “Tragically, these freedoms are under an unprecedented assault from Washington with dire consequences in communities across our country.  We launched DFI to fight back because we believe strongly in the vision of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the great civil rights legislation of the twentieth century—that all people are born free and created equal, with inalienable rights, to live as they see fit; that the power of the central government is limited to secure those rights;  that freedom of speech and freedom of religion are central to a free society; and that the Constitution and our civil rights laws are color blind.”

DFI is a non-partisan, non-profit organization that brings together a public policy center with a legal advocacy team.  It will concentrate its efforts on the federal agencies that handle education, workforce, labor, and employment issues—including the U.S. Department of Education, the U.S. Department of Labor, and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. The institute is unique in the issue advocacy landscape because unlike many other organizations, the team at DFI will not only research and develop policy solutions that defend freedom, liberty, and opportunity at school and work, but will also fight for them through vigilant agency oversight, during agency rulemaking, and in court.

“Education, workforce and labor issues are inextricably linked,” said Jim Blew, co-founder of DFI. “Our one-size-fits-all K-12 system drives the long-term workforce success of our rising generation. Sadly, that system consistently fails to prepare millions of children for success in college or careers. Education freedom must be part of the solution because freedom begets opportunity for families, students, and teachers. In states across the country, we’re seeing leaders reimagine our schools, innovate, and meet student needs. Unfortunately, nothing threatens those emerging successes more than the ballooning federal role, mounting regulatory burdens, and government unions and bureaucracies that fear the changes needed to improve education and workforce development in our country.”

The institute’s work will include vigorous oversight of the Departments of Labor and Education, a proactive federal policy agenda, and robust legal advocacy work.  Through its efforts, DFI will fight for the following:

• Expanding education freedom for students of all ages
• Limiting the role for federal agencies in education and workforce preparation
• Holding federal agencies and government sector unions accountable to the public
• Making apprenticeships available across industries without regard to union affiliation
• Transparency regarding federal spending and program results  
• Reforming Federal Student Aid and the federal role in financing higher education
• Protecting due process, free speech, and religious liberty on campus and ensuring nondiscrimination in schools and workplaces

Eitel and Blew bring complementary talents and experience to DFI. Eitel has an extensive background in education, employment, and civil rights law and policy gleaned from years of private practice and government service. Blew has worked to improve education across multiple states through senior roles in philanthropy and advocacy organizations. Most recently, both were part of Secretary Betsy DeVos’s leadership team at the U.S. Department of Education. Bob served as Senior Counselor to the Secretary and the Regulatory Reform Officer of the Department. Jim was the Assistant Secretary for Planning, Evaluation and Policy Development.

Support for DFI

Former U.S. Secretary of Education Betsy DeVos: “The freedom to learn and the freedom to work are under assault like never before.  We scaled back as much of the overreach as we could in the past four years, but unfortunately the Biden administration has picked up where the Obama administration left off—growing Washington’s power and shrinking American’s opportunities. I look forward to working with the Defense of Freedom Institute to expand opportunity for all Americans. This is a much-needed effort at a critical juncture.”

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Alex Acosta: “Every American should have the freedom to pursue the work that suits their needs, unburdened by unnecessary four-year degree, occupational licensing, and needless regulatory requirements.  Sadly, we’re moving from an era of unprecedented job creation and economic growth to one of stifling regulation and government intervention.  Now, more than ever, we need organizations like DFI to ensure that domestic policy agencies like the Labor Department serve the needs of the American workforce, not special interests.  I look forward to seeing the policy contributions from DFI that empower workers, not bureaucrats.” 

Former U.S. Secretary of Labor Eugene Scalia: “Education and labor policy are linked—schools shape our workforce, and teacher unions have a great impact on schools, curricula, and students.  With its experienced leadership and practical focus on the intersection of education, labor, and government, DFI will be a force for reform in American education and workforce policy.”