Collins, Murkowski Say They Oppose Betsy DeVos

Both senators said that while they appreciate DeVos’s efforts to help at-risk children through advocating for vouchers and charter schools, they are concerned that DeVos lacks the experience needed to lead the nation’s public schools. DeVos has no professional experience in public schools, and she did not attend public schools herself or send her own children to them. “She appears to view education through the lens of her experience of promoting alternatives to public education in Detroit and other cities where she has no doubt done valuable work,” Collins said. “I’m concerned that Mrs. Devos’s lack of experience with public schools will make it difficult for her to fully understand, identify and assist with those challenges, particularly for our rural schools in states like Maine.”