While Tennessee Senator Lamar Alexander is one of the Republicans trying to slow-walk a new Supreme Court justice following the death of Antonin Scalia, he’s in a hurry to confirm a new education secretary.
He says John King wouldn’t be
his choice. But Alexander says the country also needs someone in charge right now.
“Especially during this year when we’re going to be implementing the law that fixed No Child Left Behind, it’s important to have in place a secretary that is confirmed by the Senate and accountable to the Senate.”
That overhaul to No Child Left Behind was shepherded through congress by Alexander, himself a former Education Secretary.
Alexander now chairs the senate committee overseeing education. He’s scheduled a hearing for Thursday and hopes to have King confirmed before the Easter recess. King is already the acting secretary following the departure of Arne Duncan. King was Duncan’s deputy and the former education commissioner in New York state.
To fend off any accusations of inconsistency, Alexander says an education secretary will only last until President Obama leaves office in 11 months, whereas a Supreme Court term lasts a lifetime.
Lauren Frederick contributed to this story.
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