Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are expected to fall in line and support Betsy Devos as the next U.S. Education Secretary when a final vote takes place in the U.S. Senate today.
Both North Carolina Senators have praised the talents that Devos would bring to the table as well as her support of charter schools and vouchers.
But Democrats have been speaking throughout the night, desperate to find one more Republican to cast a “No” vote and derail the nomination. (Only Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska have indicated they will oppose DeVos. )
Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered one of the strongest takedowns of DeVos on Monday, also faulting Republicans for ramming Trump’s nominee through at all costs.
Many media outlets believe today’s noon-time vote could be a 50-50 tie with Vice President Mike Pence casting the deciding vote in Devos’ favor.
Click below to hear Senator Warren:
Gailya Paliga
February 7, 2017 at 12:21 pm
People are still writing to Senators Burr and Tillis today. Here are some specific points you can make about why DeVos can’t do this job and should be rejected as Education Secretary.
* DeVos has absolutely no experience with public education
* DeVos has radical views
* DeVos is one of the most unqualified candidates to be picked by the incoming Trump administration.
* DeVos’ performance at the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearings demonstrated her lack of understanding of such important programs as the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, Title IX equal education protections, and enforcement of policies related to sexual harassment and sexual assault on campus, as overseen by the Office for Civil Rights.
* Conflicts of interest, refusal to respond to ethics questions, as stated by Elizabeth Warren in this article.
Tell our Senators that if they are committed to quality public education for all, they will not vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary.