US Vice President breaks deadlock, approves Education Secretary

Betsy DeVos was confirmed as US Secretary of Education after Vice President Mike Pence cast his first vote to break a deadlock in the Senate.

The US Senate was divided on February 7, after the votes against and in favor of Ms. DeVos were tied at 50-50. As Senate President, Mr. Pence then voted to break the deadlock, making her Secretary of Education.

Ms. Betsy DeVos, new US Secretary of Education. Photo: AP

Dick Durbin, a Democratic senator, said this was “the first time in history that a cabinet nominee has only been able to get the job through the vice president’s vote,” according to the Guardian. He said the close vote meant Ms DeVos was “not the right person for the job.”

A political activist and philanthropist, DeVos has spent decades lobbying for the expansion of charter schools and tuition assistance for students in private and religious schools. She has never served as a public official or an educator. She has never attended public school and has not sent her children to public schools. Critics say her lack of experience is unprecedented.

According to VNE