WASHINGTON, D.C. — Teachers and liberal groups expressed outrage. School choice backers expressed glee. And just as in the weeks leading up to today’s confirmation vote of Betsy DeVos as education secretary, opinions poured in quickly and passionately.
U.S. Sen. Rob Portman of Ohio, who voted to confirm the Michigan philanthropist:
“Betsy DeVos is the daughter of a public school teacher, and I support her for the role of Secretary of Education because she has made clear in her response to questions that she will be a strong advocate for our kids and our public schools.”
DeVos gets vote
Portman added, “An important fact that has been missed in the debate over her nomination is that she strongly supports local control of education and has pledged not to impose her own views on states and local school districts, but rather to allow them – along with parents – to make the decisions that best fit the needs of their children. She has also pledged to implement the laws as Congress intended them.”
Betsy Devos and our new educational system where you can’t tell the difference between…
[?] #SchoolChoice pic.twitter.com/cvVK2fqj7A
— Kerm Together (@altleftkermit) February 7, 2017
Randi Weingarten, president of the American Federation of Teachers and a DeVos opponent:
“DeVos’ confirmation battle has a major silver lining: The public in public education has never been more visible or more vocal, and it is not going back in the shadows. This same public–from rural towns to urban centers, from liberals to conservatives–will now serve as a check and balance, and they will be fierce fighters on behalf of children.”
The democrats used all their ammo on Betsy DeVos and yet they failed again. Without controlling education their power is gone.. for long.
— Tennessee (@TEN_GOP) February 7, 2017
Rep. Virginia Foxx, a North Carolina Republican who chairs the House of Representatives education committee:
The confirmation process is never easy, nor should it be. She will now take the helm of an agency charged with overseeing policies that affect practically every K-12 school, college, and university across the country. Just as importantly, she has the chance to prove to those who organized this malicious and personal campaign against her that they were wrong.
At least we now know how much it costs to become Education Secretary. We got the receipts on the souls of every vote. #devos
— Dave Zirin (@EdgeofSports) February 7, 2017
Rep. Bobby Scott, a Virginia Democrat who is the top Democrat on the House education committee:
“Our nation’s next Secretary of Education is tasked with advancing a mission of equity, access, and accountability. That mission requires support for all students. Unfortunately, Betsy DeVos has failed to make a credible case that she will advocate for the 90 percent of students who attend our nation’s public schools.”
2017 is turning out to be a very interesting year so far.
Retweet if you agree. The #Patriots are wining all around.#PatriotsParade #devos pic.twitter.com/sklP3RCviM
— AJ Monte USN Patriot (@theoptionoracle) February 7, 2017
Tim Phillips, president of Americans for Prosperity, a conservative advocacy group founded by David and Charles Koch:
“Today’s vote sets the stage for an exciting dialogue about the future of our education system, led by someone who has understands that better outcomes can’t be dictated from Washington. We’re looking forward to being a partner in encouraging positive reforms at the Department of Education and advancing sound legislation that expands educational opportunity across the country, putting more power in the hands of students and parents.
To all who are angry or frustrated about today’s vote confirming DeVos, please know: the vote may be over, but our fight must continue. pic.twitter.com/QHFveiRv9d
— Sen. Cory Booker (@SenBookerOffice) February 7, 2017
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