AP Photo DeVos clears Senate procedural vote

Betsy DeVos’ nomination to be Education secretary cleared a key procedural hurdle Friday morning as the Senate voted to limit debate and move toward a final vote, expected early next week.

The vote fell along party lines, 52-48.


Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska voted to limit debate but have said they’ll oppose DeVos’ confirmation in the final vote. Their opposition means that the final vote is expected to be 50-50, with Vice President Mike Pence breaking the tie to ensure her confirmation.

Democrats, labor unions and other groups opposed to DeVos have been frantically seeking a third Republican vote to sink her nomination. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer called DeVos “one of the worst nominees that has ever been brought before this body for a Cabinet position” and urged more Republicans to break with the White House over her nomination.

But Senate Republican leaders have said they’re confident they won’t lose any more GOP votes and DeVos will be confirmed.

The final vote on DeVos’ nomination is expected on Monday or Tuesday.

