Miguel Cardona confirmed as education secretary

The Senate on Monday confirmed Miguel Cardona, Connecticut's commissioner of education, as education secretary.

Cardona, 45, has also worked as a teacher, principal, and administrator, and Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.), chairwoman of the Senate Education Committee, said he is "exactly the leader" needed at the Department of Education during "this moment of crisis." Cardona has "the experience, principles, and perspective that we need in this critical role," she added.

As education secretary, two of the biggest issues Cardona will face is how to best guide schools as they make plans to reopen and managing the government's $1.5 trillion student loan portfolio. During his confirmation hearing, Cardona said he will also focus on inequities in the country's education system, because unless they are "tackled head on," they will "prevent the potential of this great country."

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