Senate set to confirm education secretary by narrow margin

WASHINGTON — The Senate was poised on Tuesday to confirm President Donald Trump's nominee for education secretary by the narrowest possible margin, with Vice President Mike Pence expected to break a 50-50 tie, despite a last-ditch effort by Democrats to sink the nomination.

The vote was expected after an all-night speaking marathon by Democrats on the Senate floor, in a show of opposition to the candidacy of Betsy DeVos. She is a wealthy GOP donor who has devoted herself to promoting charter schools and private school vouchers, sparking concerns among educators that she won't be a strong champion for the nation's public school systems.

http://www.startribune.com/senate-set-to-confirm-education-secretary-by-narrow-margin/412989623/