Betsy DeVos was sworn in as secretary of the Department of Education Tuesday night by Vice President Mike Pence, who said his tie-breaking vote in the Senate was “the easiest vote” of his career.
Hours after the Senate confirmed her nomination by a vote of 51-50, Mrs. DeVos took the oath of office in the vice president’s ceremonial office at the White House complex. Among those present were her husband, Dick, and their young grandchildren, who called out “love you, grandma!”
Mr. Pence said “few issues are of greater importance” to the Trump administration than education.
“No longer will our kids be trapped in too many public school systems that are too concerned with the status quo,” he said.
Mr. Pence, a former House lawmaker, noted that his tie-breaking vote was the first ever by a vice president as presiding officer of the Senate.
“When I cast my first vote in the United States Senate, I wasn’t just voting for you,” Mr. Pence told Mrs. DeVos. “I was also casting a vote for America’s children. And I can tell you: My vote for Betsy DeVos was the easiest vote I cast.”
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• Dave Boyer can be reached at dboyer@washingtontimes.com.
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