Betsy DeVos Education Secretary Twitter Reactions

Photo: Andrew Harrer/Bloomberg/Getty Images.

Today, the Senate narrowly confirmed Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education, with VP Mike Pence breaking a 50-50 tie. The Democrats fought hard against the wealthy GOP donor, staying up all night to read letters from constituents in an effort to eke out just one more vote, which was all that was needed from Republicans to block DeVos. Republican Senators Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska defected from the GOP to oppose DeVos. It's not hard to see why Democrats see DeVos as unqualified. She has zero public-school experience, seemingly won't keep guns out of schools (because...grizzlies), and doesn't understand a key federal law guaranteeing services to students with disabilities. She has also said she won't necessarily commit to current Department of Education rules on campus sexual assault. And it's not hard to see why Republicans all-but-unanimously voted for her (see: "wealthy GOP donor"). DeVos' confirmation has set Twitter ablaze — everyone from California Senator Kamala Harris to Kumail Nanjiani from Silicon Valley is firing off upset tweets. We picked some of the strongest reactions below.

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I voted NO on DeVos’ nomination and am disappointed we fell short. We must fight to ensure our kids have access to a first-rate education.
— Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 7, 2017

Pence casts tie-breaking vote to confirm Betsy DeVos as Education Secretary. Grizzly bears lose. So do America's kids.
— Nicholas Kristof (@NickKristof) February 7, 2017

Here's how much Betsy DeVos & her family paid Republican senators who supported her. https://t.co/oAWgfryMcC pic.twitter.com/u8EWFwn2VI
— Dana Liebelson (@dliebelson) February 7, 2017

My statement on the Senate's confirmation of Betsy DeVos:https://t.co/4YP8aysyWL pic.twitter.com/ZYsoxJVaf3
— Julia Brownley (@JuliaBrownley26) February 7, 2017

The confirmation of Betsy Devos is a prime example of why we must #resist and vote them out in 2018 & 2020.
— Southern Democrats (@SouthernDems_) February 7, 2017

And it only cost her family $200,000,000 in donations to the Republican Party. Nice work, #SwampDrainers! https://t.co/ktoyoxiOh7
— Timothy Omundson (@Omundson) February 7, 2017

People who don't understand why confirming Betsy DeVos was such a tragedy are exactly the reason we need a competent Education Secretary.
— shauna (@goldengateblond) February 7, 2017

Betsy Devos got confirmed. Everyone who voted for her should be ashamed. Party before country. They're using children's education as pawns.
— Kumail Nanjiani (@kumailn) February 7, 2017

Betsy DeVos confirmed. What is also confirmed is that there is not one single man of courage in the Republican Congress.
— Seth MacFarlane (@SethMacFarlane) February 7, 2017

Upcoming Betsy DeVos school field trips:

- Noah's Ark Science Academy
- Guy Fieri Memorial Museum
- National Park of Cool Turds
- Fireworks
— Brian Altano (@agentbizzle) February 7, 2017

DeVos may have been confirmed but that doesn't mean that the calls, emails and protests weren't worth it. This is only round one.
— Dan Pfeiffer (@danpfeiffer) February 7, 2017

Senate just confirmed Betsy DeVos for @usedgov. Her only relevant experience – giving millions to GOP.

Swamp: 1
Kids and grizzlies: 0
— Adam Schiff (@RepAdamSchiff) February 7, 2017

REPUBLICANS: Protect unborn children!
ALSO REPUBLICANS: Protect kids from trans perverts in restrooms!
ALSO REPUBLICANS: Betsy Devos is fine
— Dan Ozzi (@danozzi) February 7, 2017

The Bannon-Putin axis desperately needs uninformed and uncritical voters. For them, Betsy Devos is an investment in the future.
— Gary Shteyngart (@Shteyngart) February 7, 2017

Betsy DeVos would not commit to upholding protections for campus sexual assault victims. 48 GOP Senators & VP Mike Pence said that's okay.
— Caroline O. (@RVAwonk) February 7, 2017

Thanks to each and every Minnesotan who took the time to reach out to me about Betsy DeVos. I heard you. I wish GOP would have listened.
— Sen. Al Franken (@SenFranken) February 7, 2017

betsy devos is a slap in the face to every hardworking teacher & every kid in public school. very sad day for the future of education.
— Laci Green (@gogreen18) February 7, 2017

Allowing Betsy DeVos to run public schools would be like asking a disconnected narcissistic billionaire to be presid- oh wait
— Josh Hara (@yoyoha) February 7, 2017