Betsy DeVos was sworn in as President Donald Trump's secretary of education on Tuesday by Vice President Mike Pence.
Pence had to cast the tie-breaking vote in the Senate earlier in the day to confirm DeVos after all Democratic senators and two Republicans voted against her confirmation.
Before administering the oath of office, Pence praised DeVos.
"Never before has a vice president been called upon to cast a tie-breaking vote for a Cabinet nominee. When I cast my first vote in the United States Senate, though, I wasn't just voting for you," Pence said. "Having seen your devotion to improving the quality of education for some of our most vulnerable children across the nation for so many years, I was also casting a vote for America's children, and I can tell you, my vote for Betsy DeVos was the easiest vote I ever cast."
Pence then administered the oath to DeVos while her husband, Dick DeVos, held the Bible. Afterward, Pence escorted DeVos to a nearby desk where she signed the documents installing her into office and making her the top official at the Department of Education.
DeVos is a proponent of school choice and charter schools. She faced significant criticism from Democrats and teachers unions during her confirmation process.