Dive Brief:
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In a move that will require U.S. Senate approval, President Barack Obama has announced that he intends to formally nominate acting Secretary of Education Dr. John B. King Jr. for his position.
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The nomination is expected to draw bipartisan support in Congress.
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Senate Education Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-TN) told The Washington Post that King will "receive a prompt and fair hearing."
Dive Insight:
King previously served as U.S. deputy secretary of education, and before that was education commissioner for New York state. His tenure in the state sparked waves of criticism, specifically surrounding a complicated and, critics say, flawed rollout of Common Core standards. In his new position, King has adopted a diplomatic tone.
Since his appointment to the position of acting secretary of education, questions have hovered over whether or not King would be formally nominated by the president. A confirmation process is usually required of cabinet-level officials under the Constitution. Republicans like Alexander have made statements that the nomination process will be simple, implying that King's nomination will not be blocked, though nothing is guaranteed.
With the recent passing of Supreme Court Justice Antonin Scalia adding more contention between Democrats and Republicans, the divisive strife between the parties might complicate the nomination for reasons of pure politics.
