THIS WEEK ON TO THE CONTRARY.•• FIRST, A RECORD NUMBER OF WOMEN UP FOR REELECTION IN THE SENATE.

THEN, AN EDUCATION BUDGET FAVORING SCHOOL CHOICE OVER PUBLIC EDUCATION.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: FORCED MARRIAGE, IN THE U.S. HELLO, I'M BONNIE ERBE.

WELCOME TO TO THE CONTRARY, A DISCUSSION OF NEWS AND SOCIAL TRENDS FROM DIVERSE PERSPECTIVES.

UP FIRST, SHATTERING A RECORD.

MORE THAN HALF OF THE 21 WOMEN IN THE SENATE ARE UP FOR REELECTION IN 2018.

TEN OF THEM ARE DEMOCRATS AND ONE IS A REPUBLICAN.

SOME OF THOSE DEMOCRATIC WOMEN FACE TOUGH RACES IN STATES THAT WENT FOR DONALD TRUMP.

NEW YORK SENATOR KIRSTEN GILLIBRAND SAYS SHE'LL BE WORKING HARD CAMPAIGNING FOR HER SEAT BUT SHE ALSO PLANS BRING A NEW CROP OF DEMOCRATIC POLITICIANS AND SHE'S OPTIMISTIC THAT DEMOCRATS' CHANCE IN 2018.

>> GILLIBRAND: WE'RE GONNA WIN ALL OUR SEATS AND WE MIGHT FLIP A SEAT OR TWO AND FOR YOUR LISTENERS AND VIEWERS EVERY TWO YEARS A THIRD OF THE SENATE IS UP, SO 33 OR 34 SEATS.

THIS YEAR 25 OF THE SEATS ARE DEMOCRATIC HELD, ONLY 8 ARE HELD BY REPUBLICANS AND AMONG THOSE TWENTY FIVE 10 ARE WOMEN - SO WE'VE GOT WOMEN RUNNING IN RED STATES, BLUE STATES, PURPLE STATES, SO YOU'VE GOT TOUGH STATES LIKE NORTH DAKOTA WHERE HEIDI HEITKAMP'S RUNNING OR CLAIRE MCCASKILL IN MISSOURI, RED STATES.

PURPLE STATES LIKE MICHIGAN THESE ARE TOUGHER RACES THAN THEY WOULD NORMALLY BE, OR WISCONSIN.

SO WE HAVE DEBBIE STABENOW, WE HAVE TAMMY BALDWIN.

THESE ARE RACES THAT I AM GOING TO FOCUS A LOT OF MY TIME AND EFFORT ON BECAUSE I WANT TO MAKE SURE THESE WOMEN RETURN TO THE SENATE THEY'VE MADE A HUGE DIFFERENCE ALREADY, THEY'RE GOING TO CONTINUE TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE, THEIR VOICES ARE IMPORTANT.

>> SENATOR AMY KLOBUCHAR OF MINNESOTA IS ALSO UP FOR REELECTION.

>> KLOBUCHAR: WELL WE HAVE SUCH INCREDIBLY STRONG WOMEN, THEY KNOW THEIR STATES THEY UNDERSTAND LIKE CLAIRE MCCASKILL, HEIDI HEITKAMP, DEBBIE STABENOW THAT THEY KNOW THEIR STATES, THEY UNDERSTAND THE RURAL AREAS OF THEIR STATES SO I THINK THIS IS VERY DIFFERENT FROM 2016 TO 2018 BECAUSE WE HAVE CANDIDATES THAT WILL GO TO NOT ONLY WHERE IT'S COMFORTABLE BUT WHERE IT'S UNCOMFORTABLE THAT THEY'RE GOING TO UNDERSTAND THE ECONOMIC NEEDS OF THEIR STATES AND THAT WILL BE THEIR MAJOR FOCUS.

>> SENATOR DEB FISCHER OF NEBRASKA IS THE ONE REPUBLICAN WOMAN WHO FACES A REELECTION DURING THE 2018 MIDTERMS.

>> FISCHER: I CERTAINLY HOPING TO BE REELECTED I THINK EVERYBODY EVERYONE RUNS THEIR OWN RACE.

WE KNOW OUR OWN STATES WE UNDERSTAND THE PEOPLE WE REPRESENT.

I HOPE WE HAVE MORE WOMEN REPRESENTED IN THE SENATE, IT BRINGS A STRENGTH IN THE POLICY THAT YOU'RE ABLE TO FASHION.

HOW YOU WORK ON THINGS ARE DIFFERENT I THINK AS WOMEN, THAT WE BRING A UNIQUE VIEW AS EACH OF MY MALE COLLEAGUES DO, IT'S ALWAYS GOOD TO BROADEN DIVERSITY.

>> THERE ARE ELEVEN FEMALE INCUMBENT SENATORS RUNNING FOR REELECTION NEXT YEAR AND THAT BEATS THE RECORDS: THERE WERE SIX IN 2006, 2010 AND 2012.

SO ANNE, DO YOU SEE ANYWAYED DEMOCRATSES PICK UP SEATS IN THE SENATE OR DON'T LOSE ANY.

>> I DON'T SEE HOW THEY DON'T'S LOSE IN THE SENATE.

THE HOUSE IS THERE IS A SMALL SHOT BUT THE HOUSE MORE LIKELY THAN THE SENATE.

>> WELL, IRONICALLY I BELIEVE THAT DONALD TRUMP IS DOING EVERYTHING HE CAN TO MAKE THAT THE CASE.

>> IF TAX REFORM IS PASSED AND AMERICAN FAMILIES GET TAX CUTS, ABSOLUTELY NOT.

>> I THINK WE CAN HOLD THE SEATS WE HAVE WITH THE WOMEN IN THE SENATE.

WE WILL DISAGREE BUT I BELIEVE THERE IS A CHANCE TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE.

>> HOW DO YOU SEE THAT?

WHAT IS GOING ARCHBISHOP BY THE WAY IS THAT HILLARY CLINTON WON 23 OF THE SEATS AND DEMOCRATS NEED 24 TO TAKE BACK THE HOUSE.

THAT A LOT OF SEATS TO PICK UP.

BUT THAT THE DEMOCRATS ARE FOCUSING NOW ON THE 23 AND FEEL THEY CAN FLIP A FEW MORE.

>> I THINK THEY CAN FLIP THE SEATS.

AND YOU HAVE TO REMEMBER WHAT YOU WERE SAYING WHICH IS THAT THIS IS AN OFF YEAR.

TRADITIONALLY ON AN OFF YEAR THE OTHER PARTY PICKS UP SEATS AND SOMETIMES CAN TAKE BACK THE HOUSE AND THAT ENERGY IS IN PLAY THAT IS HISTORICAL.

>> THAT IS NORMAL COURSE OF BUSINESS, YOU ARE RIGHT.

>> YES.

>> THE REPUBLICANS HAVE CONTROLLED MANY, MANY STATE HOUSES AND GOVERNORSHIPS OVER THE LAST 20 YEARS.

AND AS OF THE 2000 CENSUS THEY WERE ABLE TO GERRYMANDER A LOT.

AND DEMOCRATS GERRYMANDER.

REPUBLICANS CAN WIN?

>> THAT IS TRUE.

AND THEY COME FROM A STATE, MISSOURI WHEREAS YOU WELL KNOW THAT HAPPENED TO MY HUSBAND AND I IN THE GERRYMANDERING REDISTRICTING.

I WILL GIVE YOU AN EXAMPLE.

ANNE WAGNER WHO REPRESENTS OUR 9 DISTRICT IN MISSOURI IS PLANNING TO RUN AGAINST CLAIRE McCASKILL YOU WILL HAVE A WOMAN AGAINST A WOMAN AND THAT WILL OPEN THAT SEAT UP.

OUR 9 IT'S POSSIBLE TO WIN THAT SEAT ESPECIALLY IF YOU GET INDEPENDENTS AND ANGRY REPUBLICANS AT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION.

AND I THINK THAT PRESIDENT TRUMP IS HELPING US.

AND I WANT TO THANK HIM FOR THAT.

[LAUGHTER] >> I'M SURE HE WILL ACCEPT THE THANKS AND IGNORE IT.

THERE IS A REASON THAT IN THE PIECE THEY KEPT MENTIONING FOUR WOMEN 2 ARE VULNERABLE AND CLAIRE McCASKILL IS ONE.

IT WILL BE INTERESTING -- >> WHY?

>> HER STATE WAS WON BY TRUMP AND ROMNEY AND IT'S HARDCORE REPUBLICAN.

>> AND SHE IS POPULAR AND HAS UNLIMITED RESOURCES.

>> WE'LL SEE.

IT DEPENDS WHERE THE AGENDA STANDS IF SCHUMER IS SEEN AS BEING THE OBSTRUCTIONIST AND PEOPLE IN MISSOURI THEY LIKE THE TRUMP AGENDA IF THEY SEE THAT THE SENATE IS STANDING IN THE WAY YOU COULD SEE SEATS FLIP.

>> I DISAGREE THAT MISSOURI IS HARDCORE REPUBLICAN.

IT'S GONE FROM PURPLE TO RED ON SOME ELECTIONS BUT IT'S NOT HARDCORE REPUBLICAN.

THERE ARE LOTS OF DEMOCRATS AND THERE'S BIG POCKETS OF DEMOCRATS IN THE CITY.

THAT IS HOW CLAIRE HAS BEEN ABLE TO WIN.

IF IT WAS HARDCORE REPUBLICAN SHE WOULD NOT HAVE WON THAT SECOND TERM WITHOUT THE HELP OF -- >> SEE IS NOT THE MOST LIBERAL DEMOCRAT EITHER.

>> SHE WON BECAUSE OF STUPID COMMENTS ON AND ARES.

>> LET'S NOT SPEND THE WHOLE TIME ON HER.

AND HEIDI IS THE OTHER ONE.

>> AND BALDWIN HAVE PROBLEMS LESS SO.

BUT HEIDI AND CLAIRE PROBABLY -- >> WHAT MAKES HER VULNERABLE?

>> AGAIN A STATE THAT BOTH TRUMP AND ROMNEY WON.

>> HERE IS THE THING WE HAVE TO REMEMBER.

STILL, THIS PRESIDENCY HAS DONE EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO HURT THE REPUBLICAN BRAND.

AND SO ANY DEMOCRAT THAT IS RUNNING I'M BEING HONEY DEMOCRAT THAT IS RUNNING UNDER THIS ENVIRONMENT HAS THAT ADVANTAGE BUILT IN.

AND WE HAVE TO REMEMBER IN TERMS OF THE SENATE YOU ARE RUNNING STATE-WIDE AND HERE WE HAVE SITUATIONS WHERE AT LEAST IN TERMS OF THE SENATE, WE ARE COMING OFF THE BACK OF AN ELECTION THOUGH WE HAVE A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION WE HAVE A TRUMP ADMINISTRATION THAT CAME IN OFFICE AFTER LOSING THREE MILLION OF THE POPULAR VOTE.

THAT SORT OF MOMENTUM HAS GOT TO HELP DEMOCRATS BE ABLE TO MOVE INTO A POSITION OF POWER AS THEY ARE RUNNING FOR REELECTION.

>> AND YET, HIS POPULARITY AMONG HIS REPUBLICAN BASE HAS NOT DROPPED THEY THINK HE IS DOING GREAT.

AND I WONDER HOW THAT TRANSLATES TO I DO THINK THAT REPUBLICANS WILL FACE THE GET OUT THE VOTE EFFORT PROBLEM.

THEY ARE FAT AND HAPPY AND WHY DO THEY HAVE TO GO TO THE POLLS NOW?

>> I DO NOT THINK THEY ARE FAT AND HAPPY I THINK THEY ARE SAYING ESPECIALLY IF TAX REFORM AND INFRASTRUCTURE GETS PASSED WOW THIS PRESIDENT THAT I VOTED FOR IS DELIVERING ON HIS PROMISES.

AND -- >> YOU TALK ABOUT A FAMILY TAX CUT EARLIER.

ISN'T THAT THE LAST THING ON HIS LIST?

IT'S CORPORATE TAX, SECONDARYLY INCOME TAX CUTS FOR UPPER INCOME PEOPLE AND IT'S LASTLY A FAMILY TAX CUT THAT IS GOING TO MATTER ANYTHING TO THE MIDDLE INCOME WHITES WHO SUPPORTED HIM.

>> I THINK YOU HAVE TO TAKE IN TOTALITY.

WE ARE TALKING ABOUT TAX CUTS SURE ACROSS THE BOARD BUT TO GENERATE JOBS AND PUT POCKETS BACK IN THE FAMILY OF AMERICANS.

WHEN YOU LOOK ACROSS THE COUNTRY AT WHITE MALES WHO FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE BEEN LEFT OUT OF THE WORKFORCE AND THEY SEE AN OPPORTUNITY TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE BECAUSE OF THE TAX CUTS, I THINK THAT IS GOING TO GENERATE INTEREST.

>> WE LIVE IN A BIZARRE UNIVERSE?

AND WHAT LAND OF REALITY ARE WHITE MEN LEFT OUT OF THE WORKFORCE?

>> WAIT A MINUTE.

WHAT DID GO ON HERE DURING THE LAST ELECTION IS AMERICANS DO LIVE IN PARALLEL UNIVERSES.

AND IF YOU WATCH FOX NEWS AND READ BREITBART YOU HAVE A DIFFERENT VIEW OF WHAT IS GOING ON IN AMERICAN POLITICS AND WHAT IS GOOD FOR YOU VERSUS WHAT IS NOT GOOD FOR YOU.

THEN IF YOU LIVE IN NEW YORK CITY AND WATCH MSNBC AND READ "THE NEW YORK TIMES", I SWITCHBACK AND FORTH BECAUSE I CANNOT BELIEVE HOW THESE PEOPLE SEE THIS WORLD DIFFERENTLY.

NOW, I GET IT.

>> TWO THINGS; ONE IS A SECRET THAT HAS NOT BEEN TOLD.

ONE IS WHAT YOU ARE SAYING THE CENTER OF THE COUNTRY SEES ITSELF DIFFERENTLY FROM THE COASTS.

I GOT A CALL FROM MONTANA AND YOU TELL THE PEOPLE IN THE WHITE HOUSE WE ARE STILL WITH THEM AND THIS IS SOMEBODY WHO IS MODERATE.

WE ARE SICK ABOUT THE WAY THE MEDIA IS MISS PORTRAYING EVERYTHING GOING ON.

AND THE OTHER SECRET [INAUDIBLE] A LOT OF THE PLACES WHERE THEY MIGHT HAVE A CHANCE, SANDERS PEOPLE ARE COMING IN AND BLOWING UP THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATES AND THAT IS HAPPENING IN THE SENATE.

SO THE DEMOCRATS HAVE A MAJOR PROBLEM.

MAJOR PROBLEM.

PEREZ GETS BOOED WHEN HE GETS ON THE STUMP AND NOBODY IS WRITING ABOUT IT OR TALKING ABOUT IT.

>> HERE IS THE THING...

IF YOU HAVE A TRADITIONAL DEMOCRAT CANDIDATE VERSUS A REPUBLICAN CANDIDATE THOSE SANDERS VOTERS ARE GOING TO VOTE FOR THE DEMOCRAT.

THERE IS NO WAY THAT THE SANDERS VOTERS -- >> THEY ARE BLOWING UP THE ESTABLISHMENT CANDIDATE.

>> IT COMES TO GETTING OUT THE VOTE.

WE DO NEED TO GET THOSE VOTES OUT BUT TRUMP HAS DONE SOMETHING ELSE, TOO.

I KNOW A LOT OF PEOPLE IN THE LGBT WHO ARE REPUBLICANS AND THEY ARE UPSET AND THEY VOTED FOR TRUMP AND THEY ARE NOT GOING TO BE VOTING FOR REPUBLICANS THEY WILL BE VOTING FOR DEMOCRAT WITH THE POLICIES THAT THEY HAVE SEEN COME OUT OF THIS ADMINISTRATION.

>> AND THEY HAVE TARGETED SOCIAL MEDIA CAMPAIGN ABILITIES THAT THE REPUBLICANS HAD MUCH BETTER IN THE 2016 ELECTIONS AND THE DEMOCRATS ARE GOING TO NEED TO CATCH UP ON.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK.

PLEASE FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER @BONNIEERBE.

FROM THE SENATE TO SCHOOLS.

VOUCHERS AND SCHOOL CHOICE ARE REPORTEDLY FAVORED IN THE EDUCATION BUDGET THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS EXPECTED TO RELEASE NEXT WEEK.

ACCORDING TO THE WASHINGTON POST THE BUDGET CUTS 10 BILLION DOLLARS FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ELIMINATING 22 PROGRAMS.

THE CUTS INCLUDE AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMS SERVING 1.6 MILLION MAINLY POOR CHILDREN AND $2.1 BILLION FOR TEACHER TRAINING AND CLASS-SIZE REDUCTION.

THE BUDGET DOES INCREASE BY 400-MILLION DOLLARS SPENDING ON CHARTER SCHOOLS AND VOUCHERS FOR PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

IT ALSO BOOSTS FUNDING BY ONE BILLION DOLLARS FOR A CONTROVERSIAL PROGRAM.

IT ENCOURAGES SCHOOL DISTRICTS TO ADVANCE SCHOOL CHOICE BY ALLOWING STUDENTS TO SHIFT FEDERAL, STATE AND LOCAL MONEY OUT OF THE PUBLIC SYSTEM AND TO PRIVATE AND RELIGIOUS SCHOOLS.

HOW FAR DOES THIS BOND BUDGET GET THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TOWARD BECOMING A FUNDING FUNNEL TO CHRISTIAN CONSERVATIVE GRADE SCHOOLS AND HIGH SCHOOLS?

>> IT'S THERE.

LIKE DEATH CON 4 THIS IS IT.

THIS IS A REFLECTION OF THE REVERSE ROBINHOOD IDEOLOGY OF THIS ADMINISTRATION WHEN YOU LOOK AT THE BUDGET OVERALL AND WHERE THE TAX BENEFITS GO TO IT'S THE SAME IDEOLOGY.

WE ARE SEEING IT RIGHT NOW PUT WITHIN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION CONTEXT.

>> I DON'T KNOW.

I LOOK AT IT FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY AND THE FACT THAT THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION CAME IN SAYING WE ARE GOING TO LOOK AT EVERY AGENCY AND CUT THE FAST AND WASTE AND CUT PROGRAMS AND START TO INNOVATE.

AND WE HAVE NOT SEEM THE ININVESTIGATION IN THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHEN IT COMES TO OFFERING CHOICE FOR FAMILIES PARTICULARLY THOSE IN ZIP CODES THAT PUT THEM IN A BAD PLACE.

AND I GREW UP IN ONE.

I THINK IT'S EXCITING.

>> YOU KNOW WHAT IS DISTURBING TO ME IS WE SAY IT GIVES PEOPLE CHOICE.

THE REALITY IS THERE IS NOT ENOUGH CAPACITY IN PRIVATE SCHOOLS OR IN CHARTER SCHOOLS TO BE ABLE TO PROVIDE.

>> THAT IS WHY THEY ARE GETTING EXTRA FUNDING.

>> IT'S NICE FOR YOU TO LAUGH ABOUT THAT BUT FOR THE PEOPLE WHOSE CHILDREN GO TO PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND THEY DO NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY SHOP OR THE ABILITY TO GO ANYWHERE ELSE OR THEY LOVE THEIR PUBLIC SCHOOLS, THEIR CHILDREN WILL MISS OUT AND THEIR CHILDREN NEED AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND BEFORE SCHOOL PROGRAMS AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT HELP FOR THE TEACHERS IN THOSE SCHOOLS TO DO A BETTER JOB AT EDUCATING THOSE CHILDREN AND THOSE THINGS ARE TARGETED IN THE BUDGET.

>> PRESIDENT TRUMP PROMISED TO CLEAN THE SWAMP.

HE CONTINUES TO PROMISE TO DRAIN THE SWAMP.

EDUCATION SECRETARY DeVOS IS A MONEY COMES FROM SELLING ALL KINDS OF PROGRAMS, WHATEVER TO CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS.

SHE'S GOING TO PERMANENTLY PROBABLY MAKE A FORTUNE OFF OF THIS BUDGET.

WHY IS HE NOT DRAINING THAT PART OF THE SWAMP?

>> BECAUSE YOU HAVE TO LOOK AT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION WHICH ONLY EXISTED AFTER 1978.

IT WAS SETUP AS A PAYBACK BY JIMMY CARTER TO THE TEACHERS' UNIONS AND OUR EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HAS GONE DOWNHILL EVER SINCE.

CHILDREN'S EDUCATION IS NOT IMPROVED WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION IT'S GONE REVERSE.

WE ARE A LAUGHINGSTOCK OF INDUSTRIALIZED NATIONS AROUND THE WORLD.

WE ARE DOING A ROTTEN JOB.

IT'S TIME TO RELOOK AND RETHINK AND INNOVATE AND WHETHER IT'S CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS OR NON-AND CHOICE GOES TO BOTH I WAS NOT LAUGHING I WAS CHUCKLING AT THE IRONY MORE FUNDING IS GOING TO ALLOW TO BE MORE OPTIONS OTHER THAN CHRISTIAN SCHOOLS.

>> WHY DON'T THEY REQUIRE CHRISTIAN [INAUDIBLE] TO PUBLISH THEIR COLLEGE ENTRANTS THE KIDS DO NOT HAVE TO TAKE STATE TESTS THE WAY PUBLIC SCHOOL KIDS DO AND THEY DO NOT HAVE TO BE GRADED THE WAY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE.

WHY ARE THEY FREE OF THAT?

WHY DOES THAT MAKE SENSE FOR THE KIDS GOING THERE?

>> IT CHANGES WITH MORE SPOTLIGHT ON THAT THERE WILL BE CALLS FOR MORE ACCOUNTABILITY AND THAT IS WHAT THE ADMINISTRATION WANTS.

THEY WANT THE PROGRAMS ACCOUNTABLE.

>> THEN IF THEY WANT THE PROGRAMS ACCOUNTABLE THEN THAT SHOULD BE IN THE BUDGET AND SHOULD BE IN THE REGULATIONS.

BUT IT'S NOT THERE.

>> THIS ADMINISTRATION IS GREAT AT GOING IT WILL BE THERE, I PROMISE.

DO THIS FIRST.

IT WILL BE THERE I PROMISE.

IT'S GOING TO BE SO BIG LEAGUE.

>> BELIEVE ME.

>> I DON'T I BELIEVE YOU.

>> AND TALK ABOUT YOU'RE A FORMER PROSECUTOR AND WE TALKED IN EXTRA ABOUT THE LAWSUIT AGAINST BAYLOR THIS WEEK THAT A WOMAN WAS GANG RAPED AND VIDEOTAPED AND DRAGGED INTO THE STREET AND THE STUDENTS THERE THE FOOTBALL PLAYERS NOT ALL OF THEM BUT A LOT OF THEM SEEM LIKE INCREDIBLY HORRIBLE AS TRUMP WOULD SAY, PEOPLE.

GUESS WHO HAS TO PROSECUTE THEM?

THE -- >> TITLE 9 PROSECUTION DEPARTMENT AND THAT BUDGET IS GOING TO BE WAY CUT.

>> IT'S ALREADY DOWN.

>> IS IT THERE MORE SEXUAL ASSAULT THAT WILL HAPPEN?

>> WHAT HAPPENS TO THE USELESS DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

YOU KNOW, I JUST WANT TO SAY FROM A HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE THOMAS JEFFERSON WAS THE FIRST PERSON TO INSTITUTE A STATE UNIVERSITY.

AND I THINK HE KNEW THE IMPORTANCE OF PUBLIC EDUCATION.

>> STATE.

>> HERE IS THE DEAL...

THE PROBLEM WITH OUR EDUCATION SYSTEM IS NOT WASHINGTON IT'S NOT THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, IT IS SYSTEMIC IN OUR STATES OUR POOR SCHOOL DISTRICTS THE MONEY HOW WE FUND THEM, RICH SCHOOL DISTRICTS GET MORE MONEY.

YOU LIVE IN A POOR AREA, YOU HAVE LESS MONEY.

THAT'S THE PROBLEM WE NEED TO BE LOOKING AT FROM THE GROUND UP.

>> I FIND THAT HARD TO BELIEVE BUT JUMPING TO HIGHER EDUCATION I THINK THERE IS A LOT GOING ON IN THIS BUDGET THAT SAYS TO STUDENT BORROWERS WE ARE GOING TO HOLD YOU MORE RESPONSIBLE ALL OF THE REPAYMENT PLANS AND THE WE'RE GOING TO FORGIVE YOUR DEBT SAYING I CAN GO TO MY LOAN SERVER ON MY HOUSE AND SAY I PAID A FEW YEARS FORGIVE MY LOAN GO AHEAD.

>> DO YOU KNOW HOW MANY STATES ARE NOT FUNDING HIGHER EDUCATION?

THEY WILL FUND ELEMENTARY AND HIGH SCHOOLS BUT THEY DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO HIGHER EDUCATION?

AND THE SKYROCKETING COSTS OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND THE STUDENTS HAVE BEEN BEARING THAT AND THEY COME OUT DROWNING IN DEBT AND NOW YOU SAY YOU BAD STUDENTS WHO GO TO SCHOOL AND TRY TO EDUCATE YOURSELF AND BETTER YOURSELF?

>> WHAT IS GOING ON THE ISSUE IS NOT THAT THEY ARE SAYING GO AHEAD AND JUST GET ALL THIS EDUCATION AND NEVER PAY FOR IT.

WHAT HAPPENED UNDER THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND THE CHANGE IN RULE UNDER THE PREVIOUS ADMINISTRATION YOU HAD AN OUTREACH TO PEOPLE WHO HAD FALLEN BEHIND AND RESTRUCTURE THE LOANS TO GET BACK ON TRACK.

ENTER THIS ADMINISTRATION THEY WILL SKYROCKET THE RATES.

THEY ARE GOUGING.

THIS IS LIKE IT'S LIKE YOU HAVE A BAT LOANSHARKING INDIVIDUALS WHO ARE DROWNING IN STUDENT LOAN DEBT.

ARE WE GOING TO INVEST IN OUR NEXT GENERATION IN THIS COUNTRY?

OR ARE WE NOT?

>> EXTREME EXAMPLE OF POSSIBILITY NOT THE REALITY.

>> WE GOT TO MOVE TO THE NEXT TOPIC.

BEHIND THE HEADLINES: FORCED MARRIAGE IN THE UNITED STATES.

WHEN AMERICANS HEAR THE TERM FORCED MARRIAGE, THEY THINK ABOUT OTHER COUNTRIES.

BUT THAT DISCOUNTS THOUSANDS OF SUSPECTED CASES OF FORCED MARRIAGE IN OUR OWN COUNTRY.

PEOPLE HEAR THE TERM FORCED MARRIAGE AND A THINK OF A GIRL IN A COUNTRY FAR AWAY FROM HERE AND WHAT WE ARE TRYING TO GET ACROSS IS FORCED MARRIAGE IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM AND THE U.S. IS A PART OF THAT GLOBE.

>> CASEY SWEGMAN WORKS ATTA TA AN ORGANIZATION THAT OFFERS LEGAL ASSISTANCE TO WOMEN AND GIRLS FACING FORCED MARRIAGE AND WORKS WITH WOMEN AND GIRLS HERE IN THE U.S.

EVERYDAY.

IN 2014, TAHIRIH LAUNCHED THE FORCED MARRIAGE INITIATIVE AFTER THE RESULTS OF A STUDY PROVED SURPRISING.

>> WHEN FOUND ABOUT 3,000 KNOWN OR SUSPECTED CASES IN THE UNITED STATES OVER A PERIOD OF JUST TWO YEARS.

AND SO THAT STATISTIC IS STAGGERING.

BEYOND THAT, THE IMMENSE RESPONSE TO THE SURVEY WAS AN INDICATION THERE WAS AN INCREDIBLE NEED TO TALK ABOUT THIS ISSUE AND INCREDIBLE DESIRE FOR SERVICES FOR BEST PRACTICES AND FOR RESOURCES.

>> SWEGMAN SAYS MOST BUT NOT ALL [INAUDIBLE] MORE LEGAL CHALLENGES DUE TO THEIR AIM.

>> OFTENTIMES THEY CANNOT SEEK A PROTECTION ORDER ON THEIR BEHALF AND SHELTERS DO NOT FEEL IT'S WITHIN THEIR MANDATE TO LEGALLY HOUSE A MINOR.

THE SHELTERS THAT TAKE MINORS FEEL LIKE THEY HAVE TO CONTACT THE PARENTS WITHIN 48 HOURS.

AND IN SOME STATES MINORS CANNOT PETITION FOR THEIR OWN DIVORCES.

AND ONCE A MINOR IS MARRIED THEY FALLOUT OF THE MANDATE OF CHILD PROTECTIVE SERVICES.

>> THE THREAT OF LOSING FAMILY AND COMMUNITY OUTWEIGHS THE FEAR OF A FORCED MARRIAGE.

SWEGMAN SAYS VICTIMS FEEL PARALYZED UNSURE WHAT TO DO NEXT.

>> SOMEONE FACING EXTREME PRESSURE WE SEE, EMOTIONAL ABUSE AND PSYCHOLOGICAL ABUSE AND THREATS OF VIOLENCE AND SOMETIMES UNTIL VIOLENCE AND FEELING LIKE THE PRESSURE FROM THEIR PARENTS AND THE PRESSURE FROM THEIR COMMUNITY FOR SOMEONE WHO IS FACING A FORCED MARRIAGE THOSE THREATS ARE VERY, VERY POWERFUL.

>> SWEGMAN SAYS THE REASONS FOR FORCED MARRIAGE RANGE FROM RELIGION TO GAINING CITIZENSHIP IN THE U.S.

SOME FAMILIES BELIEVE THE PRACTICE STRENGTHENS COMMUNITIES BUT SWEGMAN SAYS IT DOES JUST THE OPPOSITE.

>> YOU HAVE THE RIGHT TO REFUSE A FORCED MARRIAGE WHILE PARENTS HAVE PLENTY OF POWER AND CONTROL OVER THEIR CHILDREN THEY ARE NOT LEGALLY EMPOWERED TO FORCE THEIR CHILDREN INTO MARRIAGE AND WE ARE HERE TO EDUCATE YOU ABOUT YOUR RIGHTS AND SHARE WITH THEM CONTACT INFORMATION OF SURVIVORS NOW ADVOCATES THEMSELVES.

>> TAHIRIH PROVIDES SERVICES FOR U.S. WOMEN LIVING OUTSIDE THE COUNTRY AND IN AMERICA AS WELL AS IMMIGRANT WOMEN IN THE COUNTRY.

THE ORGANIZATION ALSO ADVISES ON HOW TO BUILD LEADERSHIP AND TO SET POLICIES.

>> REALLY WANT THE DIRECT SERVICES PORTION OF WHAT WE ARE DOING ON THE GROUND WORK WITH WOMEN AND GIRLS SAFETY PLANNING, EMOTIONAL SUPPORT, CONNECTING THEM WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT AND SHELTERS TO INFORM ANY POLICY SOLUTIONS.

POLICY SOLUTIONS ARE INEFFECTIVE IF THEY ARE NOT SURVIVOR-LED.

>> VIRGINIA WAS THE FIRST STATE TO ELIMINATE CHILD MARRIAGE LAST YEAR.

NEW YORK AND MARYLAND ARE FOLLOWING SUIT PASSING SIMILAR BILLS TO PROTECT MINORS FROM ENTERING FORCED MARRIAGE EVEN AT THES ARE OF THEIR -- REQUEST OF THEIR PARENTS.

BUT CHRIS CHRISTIE VETOED A BILL THAT WOULD HAVE BANNED ALL MARRIAGES FOR MINORS STATING QUOTE AN EXCLUSION WITHOUT EXCEPTIONS WOULD VIOLATE THE CULTURES AND TRADITIONS OF COMMUNITIES IN NEW JERSEY BASED ON RELIGION ROUSE TRADITIONS END QUOTE.

TAHIRIH RESPECTS THERE IS A DISTINGUISHING FACTOR.

SEPARATING FORCED MARRIAGE FROM ARRANGED MARRIAGE.

>> WE SEE A DISTINCTION BETWEEN A TRADITION WHERE FAMILIES PARENTS MAY TAKE THE LEAD ON SELECTING A SPOUSE.

BUT THE ULTIMATE CHOICE OF WHETHER TO GET MARRIED REMAINS WITH THAT INDIVIDUAL.

>> TWO THINGS.

FIRST OF ALL, WHY IS ANY STATE ALLOWING MARRIAGE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 ANYMORE?

IT'S RIDICULOUS.

AND WHAT PERCENTAGE OF THESE GIRLS PUSHED INTO FORCED MARRIAGE OR ARRANGED MARRIAGES ARE IMMIGRANTS?

IT IS NOT A NATIVE-AMERICAN -- WHEN I SAY THAT PEOPLE BORN HERE, DON'T USUALLY ENGAGE IN THAT PROOK, RIGHT?

>> THAT IS TRUE BUT THERE ARE PEOPLE BORN HERE THAT THAT HAPPENS AND A LOT OF TIMES THEY ARE PUT INTO PROSTITUTION YOU ARE MY WIFE YOU WILL DO THIS.

>> THAT IS MORE SEX TRAFFICKING THAN FORCED MARRIAGE.

>> BUT IT CAN BE FORCED MARRIAGE.

RIGHT?

I HAVE NO IDEA WHY CHRIS CHRISTIE VETOED THAT.

AND THAT WILL BE INTERESTING TO HEAR.

I THINK WE HAVE TO HAVE AWARENESS AND WE MUST BE PUSHING STATE BY STATE TO HAVE THIS ABOLISHED.

>> PART OF IT WAS BECAUSE IT IS A BASED ON AN AGE.

MILITARY PERSONNEL WHO ARE GOING IN MILITARY SERVICE AT 17, 18 YEARS OLD THEY WANTED TO GET MARRIED BEFORE THEY WENT IN AND THEY COULDN'T.

IT WAS BARRED UNDER THE LAW.

>> WHY DON'T THEY WAIT UNTIL THEY TURN 18?

>> I DON'T KNOW.

BUT SO IT WAS A MATTER OF GETTING THE LAW TWEAKED AND CHANGES MADE.

IT WILL GO THROUGH.

>> THAT IS IT FOR THIS EDITION.

FOLLOW ME ON TWITTER AND VISIT OUR WEBSITE, PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY AND WHETHER YOU AGREE OR THINK TO THE CONTRARY, SEE YOU NEXT WEEK.

[♪♪] FOR A TRANSCRIPT OR TO SEE AN ON-LINE VERSION OF THIS EPISODE OF TO THE CONTRARY VISIT OUR WEBSITE AT PBS.ORG/TOTHECONTRARY.

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