Billionaire charter school backer and Amy Schumer lead campaign against Donald Trump's 'unqualified' education pick Betsy DeVos

  • Philanthropist and public education backer Eli Broad has urged senators to vote against President Donald Trump's pick for education secretary
  • Said the country needs an education secretary 'who believes in public education and the need to keep public schools public'
  • Amy Schumer joined the charge against DeVos Thursday with a signs that read: 'Betsy DeVos is unqualified'
  • Schumer's cousin, Democratic Senator Chuch Schumer of New York, is among lawmakers who have vowed to oppose Trump's pick

By Associated Press and Clemence Michallon For Dailymail.com

Published: 06:21 EST, 2 February 2017 | Updated: 01:10 EST, 3 February 2017

Billionaire philanthropist and public education backer Eli Broad has urged senators to vote against President Donald Trump's pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos, saying she is 'unprepared and unqualified for the position'.

Broad wrote in a letter to senators that if DeVos were confirmed, 'much of the good work that has been accomplished to improve public education for all of America's children could be undone'.

The charter school advocate said the country needs an education secretary 'who believes in public education and the need to keep public schools public'.

Comedienne Amy Schumer joined the charge against DeVos Thursday. She was spotted in Beverly Hills, California holding signs that read: 'Betsy DeVos is unqualified' and 'Call your senator to oppose - 202-224-3121'.

Billionaire philanthropist and public education backer Eli Broad has urged senators to vote against President Donald Trump's pick for education secretary, Betsy DeVos (pictured)

Schumer's cousin, Democratic Senator Chuch Schumer of New York, is among lawmakers who have vowed to oppose Trump's pick.

DeVos, a billionaire Republican donor who spent more than two decades promoting charter schools, has emerged as one of Trump's most disputed Cabinet picks, facing fierce opposition from Democrats, teachers unions and civil rights activists. 

Senator Schumer said during her confirmation hearing that she 'didn't know basic facts about education law'.

'When you judge her in three areas — conflicts of interest, basic confidence and ideology, views on Education policy, it is clear that Betsy DeVos is unfit for the job of Education secretary,' he said according to The Hill. 'In all three areas... she ranks among the lowest of any cabinet nominee I have ever seen.'

Broad (left), a charter school advocate, said the country needs an education secretary 'who believes in public education and the need to keep public schools public'. Amy Schumer joined the charge against DeVos Thursday with a signs that read: 'Betsy DeVos is unqualified' (right)

Schumer's cousin, Democratic Senator Chuch Schumer of New York, is among lawmakers who have vowed to oppose Trump's pick

DeVos is a major advocate of school choice programs, and Democrats and labor unions have protested her candidacy. Broad has given millions toward programs aimed at improving public education.  

Two Republican senators have also vowed to vote against DeVos.

With Senator Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska in opposition, the nomination could die if DeVos loses the support of one more Republican — and all Democrats vote against her.

Murkowski said she believed DeVos has much to learn about public education.

The senator says she has 'serious concerns' about DeVos, saying the nominee has been 'so involved on one side of the equation, so immersed in the push for vouchers that she may be unaware of what actually is successful within the public schools and also what is broken and how to fix them.' 

Two Republican senators have vowed to vote against DeVos. One of them is Lisa Murkowski of Alaska (pictured) who said she believed DeVos has much to learn about public education

Republican Senator Susan Collins (pictured) of Maine has also voice her opposition to DeVos. The nomination could die if DeVos loses the support of one more Republican

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