Since a number of people have reached out to inquire about the status, and a few of you were on the receiving end of calls and emails from me earlier today, I wanted to send an update on the nomination for Secretary of Education.

NACDD has not yet taken a position on any of the nominees for this or any other cabinet level positions, but have signed coalition letters laying out our vision for the responsibilities of the Secretary of Education and asking for her to throughly respond to questions regarding her positions on policies impacting students with disabilities after the HELP Committee hearing. The letters are at: http://c-c-d.org/fichiers/CCD-post-DeVos-hearing-letter.pdf and http://c-c-d.org/fichiers/CCD-letter-on-DeVos-nomination.pdf

Begin forwarded message:

Subject: Senate votes to begin considering DeVos nomination

By Kimberly Hefling and Michael Stratford

02/01/2017 05:07 PM EDT

The Senate voted today to begin debating the nomination of Betsy DeVos to be Education secretary.

The vote in favor of the motion to proceed was 52-47.

HELP Chairman Lamar Alexander said he anticipates DeVos' confirmation vote could be Monday or Tuesday.

The movement on her nomination comes amid a day of drama surrounding it. Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska both said today that they will vote against DeVos' confirmation. Red-state Democrat Joe Manchin of West Virginia also said he would oppose her. Given Republicans' 52- seat majority in the Senate, that means a "no" vote from one more Republican senator could derail DeVos' nomination, because Democrats have been unified against her.

But White House press secretary Sean Spicer and other DeVos supporters expressed confidence today that she will still be confirmed.

To view online:
https://www.politicopro.com/education/whiteboard/2017/02/senate-votes-to-begin-considering-devos-nomination-083271