Senate Democrats Hold the Floor in Overnight Protest of Trump Nominee
In a dramatic display of opposition to President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Betsy DeVos, Senate Democrats held the floor in an overnight protest on Monday. The unprecedented move was a last-ditch effort to sway Republican senators who were expected to vote in favor of DeVos’ confirmation.
The protest, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts, began on Monday evening and continued through the night as Democrats took turns speaking out against DeVos’ lack of experience and controversial views on education policy. The protest was also a way for Democrats to highlight their concerns about DeVos’ potential conflicts of interest and ties to the for-profit education industry.
During the protest, Democrats raised a number of issues with DeVos, including her support for school voucher programs, her lack of understanding of basic education policy issues, and her history of donating millions of dollars to Republican politicians and causes. They also criticized DeVos for her lack of experience with public schools, as she has never attended or worked in one.
The protest drew attention from across the country, with supporters taking to social media to voice their opposition to DeVos’ nomination. The hashtag #HoldTheFloor trended on Twitter as people expressed their support for the Democrats’ efforts to block DeVos’ confirmation.
Despite the protest, DeVos was ultimately confirmed by a narrow vote of 51-50, with Vice President Mike Pence casting the tie-breaking vote. The confirmation marked a significant victory for the Trump administration, as DeVos is expected to push for sweeping changes to the education system, including expanding school choice and voucher programs.
While the Democrats’ protest was ultimately unsuccessful in blocking DeVos’ confirmation, it served as a powerful reminder of the deep divisions in Washington over education policy and the Trump administration’s agenda. The protest also highlighted the growing activism and resistance movement against the new administration, as Democrats and their supporters continue to push back against Trump’s controversial nominees and policies.