King Confirmed as New Education Secretary
John King Jr. was confirmed Monday as the new US Secretary of Education.
The vote to confirm king was passed Monday by the Senate in a 49-to-40 vote.
King has served as acting education secretary since December, after former secretary Arne Duncan stepped down. Before joining the US Department of Education in 2015, King was the education commissioner of New York State.
In a statement, President Barack Obama applauded King's confirmation.
"In this role, John will continue to lead our efforts to work toward high-quality preschool for all, prepare our kids for college and a career, make college more affordable, and protect Americans from the burdens of student debt," says Obama.
King joins the head of the department of education as it transitions into the newly passed education legislation, the Every Student Succeeds Act.
Education saved my life. Feeling incredibly humbled by the honor to serve as Secretary. pic.twitter.com/Ezt0dReyfO
— John King (@JohnKingatED) March 14, 2016
