Posted on 02/01/2017 5:24:05 PM PST by markomalley
The two Republicans who broke ranks with their party and announced they would vote against education secretary nominee Betsy DeVos have received thousands of dollars from the nation's largest teachers union.
Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R., Alaska) and Susan Collins (R., Maine) have each benefited from contributions from the National Education Association. Collins received $2,000 from the union in 2002 and 2008, according to the Center for Responsive Politics. Murkowski, meanwhile, has received $23,500.
The NEA represents 3 million members, making it the wealthiest and most influential union in the country. The NEA, along with other labor groups like the American Federation of Teachers, has waged a fierce campaign against DeVos, a billionaire philanthropist and school choice activist.
Teachers unions donate almost exclusively to Democrats. The NEA contributed $2.3 million to Democratic candidates in 2016, while Republican nominees received $350,000, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.
The top beneficiaries of union largesse have already voted against DeVos' nomination at the committee level. The union donated $740,000 to the 11 Democratic members of that committee—all 11 attempted to prevent the nomination from reaching the Senate floor.
Murkowski received a 100 percent rating on a 2012 NEA Report Card, while Collins received a 75 percent rating—the only Republicans to earn marks above 50 percent from the group. Each senator has earned straight-A marks from the union since 2014.
Murkowski has long been a favorite of teachers unions. She was one of only four Republican senators to receive contributions from the NEA in 2016, hauling in $10,000, while the other three Republicans received only $3,200. She received the NEA's endorsement in 2010 when she won as an independent candidate after losing the GOP primary, and received it again in 2016.
"Lisa Murkowski understands public education and is committed to Alaska’s students," NEA-Alaska President Tim Parker said in a release. "Her leadership and advocacy were critical to passing the Every Student Succeeds Act, which put Alaskans back in control of Alaska’s public schools. Alaska’s educators and Senator Murkowski share a passion for increased student learning and ensuring that every child has the opportunity for success, regardless of their zip code."
Murkowski, a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, voted Tuesday to bring DeVos to the Senate floor for a vote. Her vote was critical in the 12-11 party line vote. However, she said Wednesday she plans to join Collins and Democrats in opposing the nomination.
The two Republican defections imperil DeVos' nomination. Republicans have a 52-48 majority in the Senate, so one more no vote or abstention could sink her candidacy to lead the Department of Education. Republicans need to recruit a Democratic vote to give DeVos the 51 votes needed for confirmation, though Vice President Mike Pence could cast the deciding vote in the event of a 50-50 tie.
Don’t fill the position. Hired a consultant to close down the business.
It seems to me that Alaska, with many students located in small and remote communities, would particularly benefit from innovative approaches to education. Private organizations could potentially make use of online technologies to deliver individually-paced, customized lessons on specialized topics to students all over that vast and beautiful state.
But a completely corrupt Senator from that state could care less about the education of Alaska’s young people. She wants them to have no options other than the rigid union-controlled school system, so she can continue to receive tens of thousands of dollars of legalized bribes from those unions.
A truly vile woman.
Sarah Pac will primary Murkowski and Collins.
Bend over ladies, incoming!
Well, with Murkowski on the side of the students what could possibly go wrong. Just another second generation corrupt politician.
Absolutely right the AK GOPe is to blame for this traitor they let her get in on as a write in when a tea party guy won the primary then they helped her win because the general because her father was a long time rino and she has stabbed us in the back several times. The other day she threatened Trump about the “Dreamers”.
A short tweet from DJT with this info might be in order. Their constituents who are pro voucher might be interested and cause a ruckus.
Based on research I did last year I believe the NEA was and still may be linked to protests by college students and former students that was organized by Soros, Inc...Look at the the leadership / personnel involved and it becomes clear.
They sold out pretty cheaply.
Hopefully Mitch is smart enough to get this to the floor tomorrow because given enough time they’ll target others and Republicans, such as they are, will cave
Donald Trump needs our support and those who do not support him should not get our support like these two.
2000 and 23000 bucks. That is it? Man that is a cheap price
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Not surprising, they’re in the same league as cheap street walkers.
Bribed, eh?
I cannot get too upset about this; the NRA does the same.
Time to start a Murkowski Recall movement, immediately if not sooner.
Don’t let her have a minute of good sleep. Dog her at townhalls, on the radio, in print, on the internet, and in a documentaries.
Find someone honest in Alaska to take this money mercenary toad down.
Wow! This is just too good. And so soon after these two RINO harridans announced their treachery.
$2000 is nothing. More than likely they were promise greater wealth elsewhere to do this.
DRAIN THE SWAMP.
I can’t wait until the 2018 midterms.
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