Senate to begin voting on Trump nominees, potentially to confirm Rubio on Inauguration Day The Senate will begin voting on President-elect Donald Trump’s top nominees in the coming week, with Republicans hoping Democrats will cooperate to confirm at least one on Inauguration Day.
No votes have taken place yet because Mr. Trump cannot formally submit the nominations to the Senate until he is sworn into office on Monday.
Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, the outgoing senior senator from Florida, is most likely to be confirmed on Inauguration Day because he has bipartisan support and goodwill from his longtime Senate colleagues.
“I believe he will get significant Democratic support,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman James E. Risch, Idaho Republican, told The Washington Times. “He’s highly respected up here because of the service on the committees that he’s had, and his relationship with the senators.”
All 100 senators would need to consent to a time agreement to hold any confirmation votes on Mr. Trump’s first day in office, so some of his more partisan picks are unlikely to see quick action..................
...................Republicans want to speedily confirm Mr. Trump’s national security leadership team, but will likely face resistance from Democrats to accelerate the floor process for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Democrats have questioned his qualifications and raised concerns about allegations of misconduct that Mr. Hegseth has denied.
“I would be delighted if they didn’t insist on using all the debate time,” said Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, Mississippi Republican.
Committee votes are scheduled on Monday after Mr. Trump’s swearing-in to report out Mr. Rubio’s and Mr. Hegseth’s nominations, as well as the nomination of Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary..................
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2025/jan/17/senate-begin-voting-trump-nominees-potentially-con/
