Senator Scott Statement on Today’s Vote Regarding Obama Education Nominee

Washington – Following his vote today against the nomination of Dr. John King for U.S. Secretary of Education, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-SC) released the statement below:

“I want to thank Dr. John King for his willingness to discuss important issues facing our nation’s education system throughout this process. Unfortunately, his lack of support for critical issues surrounding school choice, such as reauthorizing the DC Opportunity Scholarship Program, leave me unable to support his nomination. I am also concerned with his support for Common Core, signaling a willingness to exert more federal control over education.

We must ensure that every child across this nation has access to a quality education. School choice provides that opportunity, and I sincerely hope that not just Dr. King, but the entire Obama Administration, will reconsider their opposition to this critical issue.”

The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions today voted in favor of Dr. King’s nomination by a margin of 16-6. His nomination now heads to the full Senate floor for a vote.

This week, the Mayor and City Council of Washington, D.C.wrote to Congressexpressing their support for the DC OSP program. The Obama Administration continues to oppose this critical program, which drastically increases graduation rates at a fraction of the cost of traditional DC public schools.