WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — Senate Republicans are moving “full steam ahead” on confirming President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks and are focused on speeding up the process.
Sen. Marco Rubio, Trump’s only confirmed Cabinet member so far, was sworn in as secretary of state on Monday, vowing to take action to make the U.S. safer and stronger. His confirmation votes unanimously passed with bipartisan support.
The GOP aims to hold votes this week on Pete Hegseth for secretary of defense and Kristi Noem for homeland security chief.
How quickly are Republicans trying to get this done?
The possibility of recess appointments, which would allow some nominees to be confirmed without a Senate vote, is still on the table.
During a White House meeting Tuesday, Trump suggested this option to Republican leadership, although he said he believes it may not be necessary.
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“I think yeah, if it’s needed. I don’t think it’s gonna be needed. Marco, as you know, got passed overwhelmingly 99 to nothing,” Trump told a reporter.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he hopes more votes will start imminently. However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer warned his party won’t “rubber stamp nominees” they feel are grossly unqualified.
Where do Trump’s other nominees stand?
Votes for nominees like Hegseth and John Ratcliffe, chosen to lead the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), are expected this week, with confirmations likely by the end of the week.
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Several others, including Noem and Russ Vought, have been voted out of their relevant committees and are set to receive a full vote in the Senate, where they’re expected to pass.
Two nominees still in limbo are Robert F. Kennedy Jr., picked to lead the Health and Human Services Department, and Tulsi Gabbard, tapped for director of national intelligence. Neither has a hearing scheduled, and both face unknown paths to confirmation.
