Betsy DeVos was confirmed by the Senate as education secretary on Tuesday, squeaking through thanks to a history-making vote by Vice President Mike Pence.

Democrats and teacher unions have criticized the former Michigan Republican Party chairwoman, a vocal backer of school vouchers and charter schools, and her nomination had been in jeopardy in the narrowly divided Senate. With Republicans holding 52 seats, and two GOP senators voting against DeVos, Pence was needed. The vote was 51 to 50, with all Democrats voting no.