Pence breaks US Senate tie to confirm DeVos as secretary of education

Newly confirmed Education Secretary Betsy DeVos, is seen testifying January 17, 2017, duri
AFP

Washington (AFP) – The US Senate confirmed billionaire heiress Betsy DeVos as the next secretary of education Tuesday, after Vice President Mike Pence was forced to break a tie on the deeply controversial nomination.

The chamber deadlocked at 50-50, with two Republican senators breaking ranks to oppose DeVos, a champion of using taxpayer monies to help fund privately run schools.

“The Senate being equally divided, the vice president votes in the affirmative, and the nomination is confirmed,” Pence said.

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