WASHINGTON: The US Senate confirmed billionaire heiress Betsy DeVos as the next secretary of education Tuesday, after Vice President Mike Pence was forced to break a tie on the deeply controversial nomination.
The chamber deadlocked at 50-50, with two Republican senators breaking ranks to oppose DeVos, a champion of using taxpayer monies to help fund privately run schools.
“The Senate being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative, and the nomination is confirmed,” Pence said.
Following a rocky Senate confirmation hearing, Democrats have attacked DeVos as being unprepared to lead the Department of Education.
Historically, Cabinet nominees with weak support in the Senate ask the president to withdraw their nomination. But DeVos has shown no sign of backing down.
With 46 Democrats, two independents, and two Republicans expected to vote against DeVos, that leaves only 50 Republicans thought to be supporting her in the 100-member Senate.
DeVos is married to the heir and former CEO of Amway, which sells household and personal care items. She is also the daughter of the founders of Prince Corporation, a Michigan car parts supplier and sister of Erik Prince, the founder of the security company formerly known as Blackwater USA, now called Academi.
Democrats kept the Senate in session throughout Monday night debating on DeVos and in an attempt to pressure one more Republican to join in opposition to DeVos and thus defeat her. So far, no Republican senator other than Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have come forth in opposition to DeVos. — Reuters
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