WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate is scheduled to hold over a dozen hearings this week to confirm President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks.
The hearings, which begin Tuesday, will feature a range of nominees, including some who are expected to have smooth paths to confirmation, such as Sen. Marco Rubio for secretary of state, and others who face headwinds, such as former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary.
“We’re going to have a little bit of a train wreck next week of confirmation hearings,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said. “But I’m glad we’re getting those done, and the FBI background check would naturally be a part of that process.”
The hearings will also include:
* Former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., for veterans affairs secretary
* Former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for secretary of the interior
* Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to head the Justice Department, who will face two days of hearings
* South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem for Department of Homeland Security
* Former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe for CIA
* Russell Vought for Office of Management and Budget Director
* Former Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., for transportation secretary
* Chris Wright, Trump’s choice for energy secretary
Other hearings are scheduled in the days and weeks ahead.
Democrats are warning Republicans not to rush through confirmations of candidates before their FBI background checks clear and the Senate takes the time to vet them.
Hegseth has been battling allegations of sexual assault, excessive drinking and mismanaging the finances of a nonprofit veterans group. Some Republicans have been noncommittal about supporting Hegseth, including Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a survivor of sexual assault.
Others, such as Tulsi Gabbard, a former Democratic congresswoman, to be director of national intelligence, and former independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for health secretary, have also faced bipartisan skepticism.
Senate Republicans are pushing to hold Gabbard’s confirmation hearing before Trump is sworn in, but her FBI background check and Office of Government Ethics paperwork have not been received by the committee.
Senate committees are also missing key documentation for Burgum and Wright, which has raised concerns from Democrats.
