Maureen Groppe

Star Washington Bureau

Vice President Mike Pence may soon get to cast his first tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

Two Republicans – Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – announced Wednesday they will vote against the confirmation of Betsy DeVos as education secretary.

If the 50 other Senate Republicans vote today for DeVos, and the 46 Democrats and two independents who caucus with them oppose her, the Senate would split 50-50.

The vice president gets to break any ties.

Vice President Biden never got that chance. Nor did the last Hoosier vice president, Dan Quayle.

Vice President Cheney, however, broke eight ties.

Pence would likely get particular pleasure in voting for DeVos, a Michigan philanthropist and staunch voucher advocate who played an influential role in developing Indiana’s largest-in-the-nation private school voucher program.

As governor, Mike Pence strongly advocated for education reforms, overseeing a vast expansion of the state’s private school voucher program and a boost in funding for charter schools.

DeVos poured $1.7 million into Indiana from 2012-14, with the grant money mostly benefiting a school choice network.

The DeVos family and affiliated organizations have also contributed $2.5 million to Hoosier politicians since 2004, including $95,000 last year to Gov. Eric Holcomb, Pence’s chosen successor. Pence’s gubernatorial campaign received at least $15,000.

In announcing their opposition to DeVos, Collins and Murkowski questioned both her experience and commitment to public schools.

Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., voted Tuesday to advance DeVos’ nomination to the Senate floor.

Sen. Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., has said he will oppose her confirmation.

IndyStar reporters Stephanie Wang and Chelsea Schneider contributed.

Contact Maureen Groppe at mgroppe@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter: @mgroppe.