A Senate panel Wednesday approved President Obama’s nominee to take the helm of the Department of Education, despite objections from some conservatives.
The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee voted 16-6 to approve former New York Education Commissioner John King to become the next secretary. King’s nomination will next move to the Senate floor for a confirmation vote, although a vote has not yet been scheduled.
King has attracted criticism from conservatives who say he is a strong advocate of the Common Core curriculum that has been widely opposed by parents and school systems. King would replace Arne Duncan, who resigned in January, and has been serving as a deputy secretary.
Among those who voted for his confirmation was HELP Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., who served as Education Secretary under President George H.W. Bush.
Alexander acknowledged that some Republicans oppose King’s nomination and argued against confirming anyone for the post during President Obama’s final months in office. But Alexander said he wanted to confirm a secretary in order to ensure someone is held accountable at the department, particularly while it implements the recently passed education reform law.
“I don’t agree with all of Dr. King’s views, at least the views he stated,” Alexander said. “But the president did what I urged him to do. I promised we’d have a prompt and fair consideration. We’ve done that.”
