Illinois’ two senators cast “no” votes against President Trump’s pick of Betsy DeVos as education secretary although Republicans prevailed Tuesday with an assist from Vice President Mike Pence.
The 51-50 vote for DeVos was unprecedented in Senate history.
DeVos, a wealthy philanthropist and Republican donor, is chairwoman of the American Federation for Children, an advocacy organization that supports vouchers and charter schools. DeVos has said she would take a $1 salary.
She underwent a tough nomination hearing with senators in January, sparring over whether private or charter schools should be required to provide a free education for children with disabilities.
“I would not be here today were it not for strong public schools and civil rights protections, so there was simply no way I could support her nomination,” U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, a Hoffman Estates Democrat, said in a statement.
“It is a shame that someone who has never been a teacher or administrator, and who holds no degree in education policy, will now helm the agency tasked with educating our children and training our workforce.”
U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, a Springfield Democrat, said, “Senate Republicans have entrusted our children’s success to an individual whose experience with public education is limited to using her considerable wealth to undermine it.”
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