Betsy DeVos Confirmed as Education Secretary; Pence Casts Deciding Vote
- Updated Feb 08, 2017
Betsy DeVos has been officially confirmed by the Senate to fill the role of secretary of education in the Trump Administration. Vice President Mike Pence cast the deciding vote as the Senate was in a deadlock 50-50, mostly on party lines.
DeVos proved to be one of the most controversial of President Trump’s cabinet picks due to her advocacy of alternatives to public school, as well as her stance on guns in schools. Many of her opponents also have said she does not have necessary experience in public schools to serve as education secretary.
In an effort to oppose her confirmation, Senate Democrats took turns holding the Senate floor and giving speeches, attempting to sway one more Republican senator to vote against DeVos.
Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, did vote against DeVos, but Democrats still needed one more vote to override Vice President Pence’s tie-breaking vote.
They could not get that last needed vote and yesterday afternoon DeVos was officially confirmed.
DeVos is a billionaire philanthropist from Michigan who has been a long-time member and leader of the Republican party and an advocate for voucher programs and school choice.
Photo courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
Publication date: February 8, 2017
