Murkowski Votes Against Education Secretary Nominee
Today U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voted against confirming Dr. John B. King to be the Secretary of Education. The Senate confirmed King in a vote of 49-40.
“I respect that Dr. King has overcome many challenges in his life, which has led him to share my belief in the vital importance of education for all children. His leadership as Commissioner of Education for New York, however, was so marked by controversy that he lost the trust of teachers, principals, and parents, many of whom expressed concern about his unwillingness to listen. These are not the qualities we need in a leader, especially as states and communities begin to assume more control over education thanks to the Every Student Succeeds Act,” said Murkowski. “I was also disappointed that I did not get the level of detail I needed from his answers to my questions and those of my colleagues on the HELP Committee. At the end of the day, the Department of Education needs a Secretary who is a proven, effective leader, and I don’t believe that John King fit the bill.”
