WMAL Interview - RICK KLEIN - 02.07.17

INTERVIEW – RICK KLEIN – ABC News’ Political Director

DeVos confirmation vote is a nail-biter: The Senate is scheduled to vote on whether to confirm Ms. DeVos as education secretary on Tuesday, in a nail-biting finish that may require a tiebreaking vote from Vice President Mike Pence. Two Republican senators, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, announced last week that they would join Democrats in blocking her. The vote will follow what has become, in effect, a congressional staring contest over Mr. Trump’s cabinet nominations, threatening a week of round-the-clock votes until four of his picks are confirmed. Democrats employed every procedural tool to slow the process, and Republicans leaders said they would simply keep the Senate in session until a few key individuals were approved: Ms. DeVos, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama for attorney general, Representative Tom Price of Georgia for secretary of Health and Human Services and Steven T. Mnuchin for Treasury secretary.