Former Tennessee Commissioner of Education Penny Schwinn was selected by President Donald Trump to fill the number two position with the US Department of Education. The controversial appointment has now reportedly been withdrawn prior to a vote of the full Senate on her confirmation.
Details about her past record in Texas, Tennessee, and beyond emerged only after her nomination had progressed well along the confirmation process. She didn’t really receive rigorous questioning from the Senate panel prior to moving her forward towards confirmation.
And despite conservative opposition to her appointment, she seemed poised to get the necessary votes in the full Senate for confirmation.
However, her support of pro-abortion appointees to advisory commissions in Texas when she served in a senior position in the Texas Department of Education only garnered significant national attention recently.
Then, questions arose about her business dealings both prior to and after her nomination.
As more details emerged about her past, the wheels started to come off her nomination with questions being raised both within the Trump administration and among Conservative Republican Senators like Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN).
Blackburn has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to block the confirmation. It appears she has been successful. Schwinn’s nomination is anticipated to be removed from the Senate docket soon, and with a month-long August recess looming, her selection may effectively be dead.
“Schwinn has left a long trail of questionable ethical decisions and business dealings as she has moved from education positions all over the country,” JC Bowman, Executive Director of Professional Educators of Tennessee, noted. “But her consistent record of producing less-than-stellar academic achievements by students under her charge was the more concerning problem with her nomination.”
Steve Gill is Publisher of TriStar Daily and is a national and international political commentator and analyst.
