Carper Takes to Senate Floor to Discuss Opposition to DeVos Nomination

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.) joined his Democratic colleagues in a 24-hour talk-a-thon on the Senate floor to express opposition to President Trump’s nomination of Betsy DeVos to serve as Secretary of Education. Sen. Carper announced his opposition to Betsy DeVos in January 2017. The Senate voted 50-50 on the nomination, and Vice President Michael Pence broke the tie with an affirmative vote to confirm the nomination. 

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“Leading the Department of Education is a very big job. It is an important job,” Sen. Carper said in his speech. “The Secretary of Education is responsible for overseeing a budget of some $36 billion for k-12 education and $150 billion for higher education, as well as managing a portfolio of more than $1.2 trillion in outstanding federal student loans.”

“Mrs. DeVos too often lacks experience. Just as often, she has the wrong experience we should expect from someone to lead the Department of Education in what really is a critical juncture for our country,” Sen. Carper continued. “I cannot support her nomination because I’m not convinced that she is interested in bringing Democrats and Republicans together on a shared vision of improving public education in this country. And, reluctantly, I must urge my Democrat and Republican colleagues to listen to this groundswell of voices from across the country and ultimately oppose this nomination.”