Senate Approves Education Civil Rights Nominee After 8-Month Delay

Every Democrat voted against Ken Marcus while Obama nominees were confirmed by voice vote in 50 days

The Senate approved Kenneth Marcus, the Trump administration's nomination to head the Department of Education's civil rights office, after his nomination was delayed for nearly eight months.

The Senate confirmed Marcus on a party-line vote, 50 to 46. Marcus will serve as the assistant secretary for civil rights under the Department of Education, replacing Candice Jackson, who had been serving as acting head of the Office of Civil Rights since President Trump's inauguration.

Marcus's nomination lingered for 220 days, after delays from Senate Democrats. Marcus previously served in the Bush administration on the United States Commission on Civil Rights, the Department of Education, and at Housing and Urban Development.

Marcus is also the president and founder of the Louis D. Brandeis Center for Human Rights Under Law, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing civil rights of the Jewish people. Anti-Israel groups vigorously opposed Marcus, who they attacked for leading the fight against the boycott, divestment, and sanctions (BDS) of Israel movement.

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