Trump's pick for education secretary avoided answering a number of questions in a contentious confirmation hearing

CSPAN

DeVos was grilled on a number of issues during the Tuesday confirmation hearing.

DeVos was grilled on a number of issues, oftentimes demurring on answers, or stating she was currently unable to provide a response.

On the issue of sexual assault on college campuses, for example, DeVos provided a noncommittal answer when asked if she would uphold the current federal Title IX guidance if she is confirmed.

"I know that there is a lot of conflicting ideas and opinions around that guidance, and if confirmed I would look forward to working with you and your colleagues and understand the range of opinions," she said.

Here's her answer on Title IX:

In an exchange with Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy (D-CT), when asked if guns have any place in schools, DeVos responded that the question was best left to states to decide. Murphy pushed on with questioning and DeVos responded with a reference to the probable need for gun protection from grizzly bears in a Wyoming school.

"I will refer back to Sen. Enzi and the school he was talking about in Wyoming," DeVos said. "I think probably there, I would imagine that there is probably a gun in the schools to protect from potential grizzlies."

Here's her answer on guns:

Virginia Senator Tim Kaine had a tense exchange with DeVos over the issue of school accountability. Kaine asked whether all taxpayer-funded schools - regardless of the distinction between public, charter, or private - should be subject to the same accountability.

DeVos would only respond, "I support accountability," frustrating Kaine and leading to the following exchange:

Kaine: Do you not want to answer my question?
DeVos: I support accountability.
Kaine: OK, let me ask you this. I think all schools that receive taxpayer funding should be equally accountable. Do you agree with me or not?
DeVos: Well they don't. They are not today.
Kaine: Well, I think they should. Do you agree with me or not?
DeVos: Well no...
Kaine: You don't agree with me - let me move to my next question.

Here's her answer on accountability: