In an effort to stop the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as secretary of education, Senate Democrats spent Monday night and Tuesday morning speaking on the Senate floor about DeVos’ inexperience and the havoc she could wreak if confirmed. With Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) flipping to "nos" last week, Senate Democrats need one more vote against DeVos in order for her nomination to be rejected. The vote is slated for midday Tuesday.
GOP senators, if you cannot bring yourself to vote #NoOnDeVos, is there anyone @POTUS could nom for any position who you could vote against? pic.twitter.com/76Tzan898b
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) February 7, 2017
During her confirmation hearings, DeVos did not commit to keeping regulation that would require schools that receive federal funding to take immediate action in cases of sexual violence, harassment, or discrimination. Sen. Bob Casey (D-Penn.) said he was "stunned" by her hesitancy to maintain the Office of Civil Rights' guidance.
"That made no sense to me, and I don't think it made any sense to people across the country who have been working on this problem and trying to get the attention of the Senate and the House and any administration for years, if not for decades," Casey said.
DeVos also displayed her lack of knowledge about several education concepts, including the meaning of the terms “proficiency” and “growth” and student financial aid. DeVos also supports the use of school vouchers, which enable public funds to be used to enroll students in private schools that often have religious affiliations.
"Betsy DeVos' confirmation hearing demonstrated to the entire world she is embarrassingly unprepared ..." Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) said.
Here are what several Senate Democrats have said about DeVos’ nomination for education secretary:
DeVos cannot and will not uphold the law if she does not understand the law. #HoldTheFloor
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 7, 2017
Making it loud & clear outside the U.S. Capitol today: #NoOnDeVos.
— Ron Wyden (@RonWyden) February 6, 2017
Privatizing public edu. will not give every child the chance to succeed pic.twitter.com/ddTnmz0Hhn
Betsy #DeVos is unqualified to be Secretary of Education. It's that simple. That's why I'm voting not just no, but NO WAY. pic.twitter.com/5sx4myZAL5
— Senator Chris Coons (@ChrisCoons) February 6, 2017
Joined students & teachers outside the Capitol to say no to an Education Secretary who doesn't believe in our public schools #StopDeVos pic.twitter.com/DIpq7NZZuW
— Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) February 7, 2017
Remember: Betsy DeVos has called public education “a dead end.” #NoOnDeVos
— Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) February 7, 2017
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