Category: Federal
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Scott Bessent confirmed as secretary of the Treasury
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Scott Bessent as secretary of the Treasury on Jan. 27, 2025. The Senate voted 68-29 in favor of his nomination with 15 Democrats, one independent who caucuses with Democrats, and 52 Republicans voting in favor. This was the fifth member of President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet confirmed in his…
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Kristi Noem confirmed as secretary of homeland security
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Kristi Noem as secretary of homeland security on Jan. 25, 2025. The Senate voted 59-34 in favor of her nomination with 23 Republicans and 7 Democrats voting in favor. This was the fourth member of President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet confirmed in his second presidential term. Trump announced on…
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Pete Hegseth confirmed as secretary of defense
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Pete Hegseth as secretary of defense on Jan. 24, 2025. The Senate voted 51-50 in favor of his nomination with Vice President J.D. Vance (R) casting the first tie-breaking vote of his vice presidency in favor of Hegseth’s confirmation. This was the third member of President Donald Trump’s (R)…
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John Ratcliffe confirmed as director of the Central Intelligence Agency
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm John Ratcliffe as director of the Central Intelligence Agency on Jan. 23, 2025. The Senate voted 74-25 in favor of his nomination with all 53 Republicans and 21 Democrats voting in favor. This was the second member of President Donald Trump’s (R) Cabinet confirmed in his second presidential term. …
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Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee holds confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins for secretary of Agriculture
The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee held a confirmation hearing for Brooke Rollins for secretary of Agriculture on Jan. 23, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on her nomination. Rollins must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before her nomination can be…
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No members of Congress have announced 2026 retirement plans since Dec. 19
Since our last update on Dec. 19, no members of the U.S. Congress have announced plans to not seek re-election in 2026. That means the total number of congressional retirements for 2026 remains at one. The last incumbent to announce their retirement was Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.), who said he would not seek re-election to…
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Senate Budget Committee holds confirmation hearing for Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget
The Senate Budget Committee held a confirmation hearing for Russell Vought for director of the Office of Management and Budget on Jan. 22, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on his nomination. Vought must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination…
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Marco Rubio confirmed as Secretary of State
The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Marco Rubio as secretary of state on Jan. 20, 2025. The Senate voted unanimously in favor of his confirmation. This was the first member of Trump’s Cabinet confirmed in his second presidential term. Rubio is the first Latino to serve as U.S. secretary of state. Trump announced on Nov.…
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Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee holds confirmation hearing for Doug Collins for secretary of veterans affairs
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee held a confirmation hearing for Doug Collins for secretary of veterans affairs on Jan. 21, 2025. The committee scheduled a meeting for Jan. 23 to vote on Collins’ nomination. Collins must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before his nomination can be put up for a confirmation vote…
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Senate Foreign Relations Committee holds confirmation hearing for Elise Stefanik for U.N. ambassador
The Senate Foreign Relations Committee held a confirmation hearing for Elise Stefanik for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations on Jan. 21, 2025. At the time the hearing ended, the committee had not scheduled a meeting to vote on her nomination. Stefanik must receive a majority approval vote in the committee before her nomination can…