Critics Say Burr Should Recuse Himself In Education Secretary Vote

Critics are calling on U.S. Senator Richard Burr to recuse himself from voting on President-elect Donald Trump's nominee for education secretary. The controversy is over contributions made to his campaign.

Two Democratic-leaning organizations say Senator Burr should reuse himself from voting on Betsy DeVos as Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Education.

A review by the Winston-Salem Journal shows that DeVos and her relatives contributed over $43,000 to Burr's campaign during the 2016 election cycle.

David Donnelly, the CEO of Every Voice, says that if Burr doesn't recuse himself, it gives the appearance that high-ranking government positions can be “bought by and sold to the highest bidder.”

Aides to Senator Burr have declined to comment.

In 2013, several Democratic U.S. Senators declined to recuse themselves from voting on Penny Pritzker, President Obama's pick for commerce secretary.

But critics say this situation is different, because DeVos, the former chair of the Michigan Republican Party, has made it clear she expects a return on investment when she donates money.