Tucson school leaders mixed over education secretary pick Betsy DeVos

With all 48 Senate Democrats publicly in opposition to the nominee, the two GOP defections point to a 50-50 tie that will necessitate Pence’s tie breaker. Want to support their effort to #holdthefloor?

Democrats are using the all-night session to try to pressure a third Republican into voting against DeVos, a move that would sink her nomination.

As of now, Democrats are continuing to hold the Senate floor during the remaining hours before DeVos’ expected February 7 confirmation vote. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) and Susan Collins (R-ME) said that they would vote against DeVos, though they insist that their declaration was made when they knew the rest of their party was locked behind the education nominee. If the vote is knotted up at 50, the Vice President would break the tie.

He did issue a statement last week saying he will support her and that DeVos told him she is not looking to impose a voucher system in Kansas schools. In one particularly high-profile incident, DeVos was unable to field a question from Minnesota Sen.

Columbia teachers protest Secretary of Education nominee Betsy Devos outside Senator Roy Blunt’s office in downtown Columbia on Monday. She was tripped up when asked about accountability standards and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. He praised DeVos for her promotion of school choice and local control on schools. In U.S. History, the Vice President has never had to cast the deciding vote for a cabinet confirmation. “She seems to constantly demean the main objective of her job, public education“. The stage is now set for a final vote on Tuesday, even while Murray fights to change Republican’s minds.

He said Democrats can vote against a nominee but they shouldn’t “slow walk” the confirmation process. Chuck Schumer said on the floor during the filibuster, Mother Jones reports.

Working without any game plan other than no, the progressive tunnel-vision senators blew their only chance at stopping a cabinet nomination and it was the only one they a chance at stopping, Mrs. Devos.

Fischer says she wanted to make sure DeVos was a strong supporter of local control.