Despite the defection of two GOP senators, controversial secretary of education nominee Betsy DeVos has been confirmed by a 51–50 margin. Vice President Mike Pence cast the 101st and deciding vote.
It’s the first time since 2008 the vice president has been required to break a Senate tie.
DeVos, a billionaire heiress and major Republican donor, has never attended or had a child in public school. She has never worked in a school or school system herself and came across as poorly informed about several basic factual matters related to public education during her confirmation hearing.
