Betsy DeVos testifies before the Senate Health, Education and Labor Committee confirmation hearing to be next Secretary of Education on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. on Jan. 17. Yuri Gripas / Reuters
Murray also pressed DeVos on potential conflicts of interests that could arise from her family’s long history of donating its vast wealth to Republican candidates and causes.
Trump’s transition team said Tuesday morning that DeVos had last month submitted a certified ethics agreement and financial disclosure statement, which would reveal any conflicts of interests she might have if confirmed. However, the Office of Government Ethics (OGE) has yet to clear her.
“Where conflicts are identified, they will be resolved,” DeVos said. “I will not be conflicted. Period. I commit that to you all.”
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Tuesday’s hearing turned testy before DeVos had even said a word. Virtually every Democratic member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee repeatedly asked the chairman, Republican Sen. Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, for more time to question the cabinet nominee. But each time Alexander refused, citing a “precedent” of five-minute rounds of questioning for education secretary nominees. Multiple Democratic members said they’d never heard of such a rule.
DeVos has raised numerous concerns for her support of school choice and voucher programs that critics say would pull resources from struggling public schools and stifle diversity. DeVos’ nomination has also been opposed for her family’s ties to anti-LGBT groups and for her lack of experience in public education.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
