Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) blasted Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos on Monday for citing grizzly bear attacks as part of her reasoning for allowing states to determine their own gun policies in schools.

"She went on to say, 'Well, but we need guns in schools, yes, because grizzly bears may pose a significant threat to the safety of our children and perhaps their education,'" Harris said in her first speech from the Senate floor.

"I say Ms. DeVos poses a far greater threat to public education."

The newly elected California senator, who is already getting potential 2020 speculation, knocked DeVos's position on a myriad of positions, including her lack of knowledge on testing, a federal disability law and her position on gun-free school zones.

"It is clear from her testimony, Betsy DeVos has not done her homework and she hasn't done her homework in terms of preparing for the job," Harris added. "She did not prepare her homework and do homework in terms of preparing for her hearing."

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Democrats are holding a rare all-nighter to protest DeVos's nomination. As of 9 p.m., roughly 20 senators had spoken from the Senate floor. Lawmakers also joined a protest with progressive groups outside of the Capitol on Monday evening.

Warner added from the Senate floor that while DeVos's comments had "become the subject of late-night comedy," the issue of guns in school zones is a "very serious matter."

"Ms. DeVos was not able to clearly express her understanding or her commitment to enforcing the gun-free school zone act," he added.