Sprint to confirm Trump nominees kicks off in January

Some? And how fast? That's the question in early January as the Senate races to confirm as many of President-elect Donald Trump's nominees as possible. The senators can't do much right now for several reasons. Republicans are not in charge of the Senate, and Trump will not be sworn in as president until January 20 at noon Eastern Time. But there will be a flurry of action in January.

First, the mechanics.

The next president suffered a crushing defeat when he was elected in 2016. Mr. Trump lacked the personnel and political infrastructure to quickly assemble a Cabinet, so he turned to the Republican National Committee and other “establishment” Republicans to assemble candidates. Many of the candidates were not “Trump people.” They had a hard time building chemistry with the new president. Therefore, President Trump canned many people when they denied his wishes.

This time, the president-elect is making sure to nominate a candidate who is sympathetic to his cause and a Trump supporter. They might infuriate the left and, frankly, some on the right as well. However, those are his choices. In some ways, this alone may make the verification process smoother.

Matt Gaetz tells Republican senators he'll use the phone despite unlikely confirmation

And frankly, it gives me a headache at the same time.

At the end of 2016, Republicans took control of the Senate. This allowed us to prepare for an expedited approval hearing in early January 2017. The confirmation hearing for former Alabama Republican Sen. Jeff Sessions to serve as attorney general was held on January 10th and 11th. Future Secretary of Homeland Security John Kelly attended a hearing with senators on January 10th. The hearing for Rex Tillerson, who will become Secretary of State, was set for January 11th. The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing on James Mattis, the nominee for Secretary of Defense, on January 12th.

However, the Senate could not vote to confirm these nominees until the new president is sworn in on January 20. At dusk on January 20, the Senate confirmed Mattis and Kelly.

For example, the Senate did not confirm then-Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao and wife of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.). – Until January 31st.

Outgoing U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) arrives at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., for the Senate Republican leadership election on November 13, 2024. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

The Senate is expected to produce a rocket document in early 2025.

Senators will brave the January cold and warm their hands as soon as they return from the bleachers on the West Front of the Capitol on January 20th. You might also want to drink hot coffee or scotch. The Senate is then likely to vote on a comprehensive version of President Trump's nominees by the evening.

“We want to make sure that President Trump's nominee is ready for the job from day one,” said Sen. Bill Hagerty (R-Tenn.). “We should be as prepared as possible to confirm his many cabinet positions on January 21st.”

Senate Republicans begin Thune-led slowdown as Schumer tries to rack up judicial votes

But Democrats intend to erect barricades.

“What are Democrats prepared to do about this? Any means necessary,” Sen. Alex Padilla, D-Calif., said on MSNBC. “Donald Trump is far beyond mocking what the next president should do, regardless of who is in the majority in Congress.”

Some companies want to at least perform due diligence on candidates. They are particularly concerned about the Senate bypassing the traditional confirmation process and appointing some nominees without a vote while both chambers are in recess.

“That's why we have to have hearings. That's why this uproar over recess appointments, where President Trump is deciding some of his Cabinet nominees without hearings or confirmation votes, is so disturbing. “Because his team has very serious financial problems, especially his national security team.” Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Connecticut) said on CNN.

Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune, RS.D. (Reuters)

President Trump has indicated that he may fill in some candidates through recess appointments, and incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R.S.D.) has also expressed interest. .

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) argued for the legitimacy of the recess, saying on Fox: “Recess appointments go back to the founding of our country.”

Republicans complain about Democratic border spending bill they say will prolong immigration crisis

But Mr Cotton suggested that only the Liberals would be exercised over the possibility of recess appointments.

“Once again, the left doesn't seem to have learned anything from this campaign, or indeed from the past eight years. It's hyperventilating about potentially anti-constitutional practices in the Constitution itself.” Cotton said. “However, I expect the Senate to work quickly and efficiently to process all these nominations and inaugurate Donald Trump's Cabinet, so I do not anticipate that any recess appointments will be necessary.” do not have.”

Republicans have been active in accusing Democrats of potential hold-ups on various candidates, which could require recess appointments. But ironically, the problem will be with the Republican Party.

Next year, Republicans in the Senate will have 53 seats. It only takes 51 “yes” votes to overcome a filibuster against candidates for administration positions. Also, check for a simple majority. That's why some Republicans are keeping an eye on senators they believe could defect depending on the nominee.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, Republican of Kentucky, speaks during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., Wednesday, Nov. 6, 2024. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

It starts with McConnell. The Kentucky Republican had polio as a child. Watch how he votes regarding Health and Human Services Secretary nominee Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Of course, McConnell will no longer lead Senate Republicans, so it's unclear how much influence he still has in the Senate.

“When he speaks, people will listen,” Sen. Lindsey Graham (R.S.C.) told The Hill's Al Weaver.

Sen. Mike Lee warns about Christmas 'swamp bus', sparking spending troubles

Also participating are Sen. Todd Young (R-Indiana) and Rep. John Curtis and Sen.-elect (R-Utah).

Next up are Sens. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine). Both men regularly pushed back against Trump during his previous terms.

“It's almost always a mistake to curtail the investigative process or the hearings, because that's the Senate's constitutional responsibility,” Collins said.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

The Maine Republican noted that he is fine with shortening the process for “important roles within the administration,” but not for anything else.

“Certainly when you're talking about ministerial positions, you have to go through the normal process,” Collins said.

Don't think for a second that the new president and Capitol Hill enforcers won't go after potential defectors.

“We have the numbers to do it ourselves,” said Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama. “We don’t need Democrats to help us.”

There's a reason President Trump sent Vice President-elect J.D. Vance to the Capitol this week to meet with senators and candidates.

Left-leaning Democrats are appalled by some of the president-elect's Cabinet picks, and some may follow the lead of their colleagues.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

“I'm going to be watching every Senate confirmation hearing because it's an opportunity for my colleagues in the Senate to tell the truth. To tell the truth. To shame the devil,” said D-Calif. said Congresswoman-elect Latifa Simon. warned on MSNBC.

So, come January, pull out your speed gun and pace your checks. And if Republicans have strong opposition to a candidate, look at their willingness to either align themselves with the president-elect or act on principle. That could tell us a lot about the character of the Senate under President-elect Trump. What do we see next? Will there be retribution for those who oppose him?