Track Obama's Cabinet Nominees
Barack Obama began vetting his choices for a Cabinet before he was even elected; his first announcement came just days after Nov. 4. In the past, nearly all Cabinet nominees have been confirmed, and with a Democratic Senate, it's unlikely any of his choices will be rejected. Still, nominees such as Eric H. Holder to be attorney general, or Hillary Rodham Clinton for secretary of State could face some tough questions.
Senate committees with special jurisdiction over each position hold hearings to assess the merits of each nominee before voting to confirm. If the committee approves the nomination it is sent to the full Senate for a full vote.
The Senate may choose not to confirm a nominee in a few ways. Committee members may vote against a nominee or indefinitely drag out hearings -- though rarely, a nominee may still proceed to the full Senate. The full Senate may vote against the nominee. Or, a senator or senators may filibuster to block the confirmation
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Office of Management & Budget Director
Peter R. Orszag A month after his 38th birthday, Orszag took over CBO in January 2007 after stints at the Brookings Institution and at the Clinton administration's National Economic Council and as senior economist on the Council of Economic Advisers. Almost two years later he remains well respected by both parties as a serious economist who has ramped up the CBO's understanding of rising health care costs.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Congressional Budget Office director
Status: at committee vote
Announced on 11/25/08Budget hearing on 01/13/09.
No vote yet
More news:
Orszag to Suggest Program Cuts in February Budget Outline -
Education Secretary
Arne Duncan A friend, adviser and basketball-playing buddy of Obama's, Duncan has been a supporter of charter schools — a traditionally Republican position that could make his Senate confirmation a breeze. He has made "some steady progress, not huge progress" improving Chicago's schools since he was appointed leader of the system seven years ago, says Michael Petrilli, a vice president at the Fordham Foundation, a conservative education think tank.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Chief executive of the Chicago Public Schools
Status: at committee vote
Announced on 01/13/09Health, Education, Labor and Pensions hearing on 01/13/09.
No vote yet
More news:
Duncan Vows Focus on Early Childhood Education, Innovation -
Attorney General
Eric H. Holder Jr. Holder went to work at the Justice Department straight out of Columbia Law School in 1976, prosecuting public corruption cases. Ronald Reagan made him a trial court judge in Washington in 1988. Bill Clinton made him the capital city's top federal prosecutor in 1993, and from 1997 until the end of the Clinton administration Holder was deputy attorney general, the No. 2 job at the Justice Department.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Partner at Covington and Burling
Status: in committee hearing
Announced on 12/01/08Judiciary hearing on 01/15/08.
No vote yet
More news:
Questions at Holder Hearing Focus Mainly on the Future, Not the Past -
Defense Secretary
Robert M. Gates Known for his sharp skills winning political ways, Gates also offers the benefit of continuity in wartime. For Obama, Gates would send a signal of bipartisanship at a time when the "global war on terrorism" has become increasingly charged with politics — just as former GOP Sen. William S. Cohen of Maine was picked by Democrat Bill Clinton in his second term to run the Pentagon and smooth frayed relations with Capitol Hill.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Current Defense Secretary
Status: confirmed
Announced on 12/01/08Current Secretaries don't need to be reconfirmed. More news:
With Gates Returning to Defense, Continuity Could Bring Some Conflicts -
Homeland Security Secretary
Janet Napolitano Napolitano offers bipartisan appeal, executive experience and an expertise in border security. (Arizona is the state with the second-longest border with Mexico, after Texas.) Centrist policies earned her popularity at home, and she gained national prominence with a leading role in the immigration debate. Under her watch, Arizona was the first state to develop its own homeland security strategy, in 2003. She was the state's chief federal prosecutor and attorney general before becoming governor.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Governor of Arizona
Status: at committee vote
Announced on 12/01/08Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs hearing on 01/15/09.
No vote yet
More news:
Napolitano Seeks Systematic Approach to Securing Mexican Border -
Commerce Secretary
unknown Commerce No bio.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Status: vacant
hearing on date unknown.
No vote yet
More news:
Under Investigation, Richardson Withdraws as Commerce Secretary -
Treasury Secretary
Timothy F. Geithner After Federal Reserve Chairman Ben S. Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Paulson, no government official has been as deeply involved in the government's response to the credit crunch as Geithner, who has run the Fed's operations in New York for the past five years and serves as vice chairman of the committee that sets interest rates. Geithner also has deep background at the Treasury: He was undersecretary for international affairs during the final two years of the Clinton administration, then worked at the International Monetary Fund.Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed President of the Federal Reserve Bank of New York
Status: announced
Announced on 11/24/08Finance hearing on 01/21/09.
No vote yet
More news:
Economic Fears and Bipartisan Spirit Help Give Geithner a Pass on Taxes -
U.S. Trade Representative
Ron Kirk Former Dallas Mayor Ron Kirk is a pro-business Democrat with deep Texas roots. Beyond support for the 2000 law normalizing trade relations with China, Kirk's broader views on trade policy are relatively unknown, even to trade observers. But it appears that the longtime aide to former senator and Treasury Secretary Lloyd Bentsen, D-Texas, would be another economic pragmatist in an emerging Cabinet full of them. John Murphy, vice president for international affairs at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, notes that while serving as Dallas' first African-American mayor from 1995-2001, Kirk worked closely with Dallas firms to "take advantage of trade opportunities."Committee
hearingCommittee
voteFloor
voteConfirmed Former mayor of Dallas
Status: announced
Announced on 12/19/08hearing on date unknown.
No vote yet
More news:
Former Dallas Mayor Named to Trade Post