DeVos new U.S. education secretary thanks to Pence

WASHINGTON — Charter-school advocate Betsy DeVos won confirmation as U.S. education secretary Tuesday by the slimmest of margins, pushed to approval only by the historic tiebreaking vote of Vice-President Mike Pence.

Two Republicans, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, joined Democrats in a marathon effort to derail the nomination of the wealthy Republican donor. Pence’s vote was the first by a vice-president to break a 50-50 tie on a cabinet nomination.

Despite the win, DeVos emerged bruised from the highly divisive nomination fight. Opposed by half the Senate, she faced criticism for lack of experience and confusion during her confirmation hearing.

DeVos was sworn in hours after the vote by Pence.