By: Leroy Polk
Despite protests both across the country and in Anchorage, Senator Lisa Murkowski voted to progress Betsy DeVos’ nomination to the next step, before confirmation as Secretary of Education.
The number of yes votes to no votes was 12 to 11.
Now, the vote will go to the full Senate, before DeVos can be confirmed for the position.
However, in the statement from Murkowski’s office, she says that while she voted “yes” in the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, she does not necessarily support DeVos’ confirmation.
“The full Senate should have the opportunity to vote on those nominees. I also said that when it comes to the vote on her confirmation, don’t count on my vote,” Murkowski said in the statement.
Murkowski said that the decision was “very personal, as education is very personal to me.” Murkowski continued to say that she admires DeVos, as she is using her time to help children access better education.
End Citizens United, a watchdog group for campaign finance reform, says DeVos has personally donated over $40,000 to Murkowski’s campaign.