Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings **live commentary thread**

[Pandaguineapig]

Tim Scott voting no on Farr

This doesn't mean the nomination is dead necessarily, they could just postpone the vote and have Trump re-appoint him in January when they gain two seats (Three if you count Flake leaving). Depends on if they view Farr as being worth it to do so

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Tim Scott voting no on Farr

This doesn't mean the nomination is dead necessarily, they could just postpone the vote and have Trump re-appoint him in January when they gain two seats (Three if you count Flake leaving). Depends on if they view Farr as being worth it to do so

Yeah, but then you start the whole process over again. All nominations are sent back to the President because it's a new congress, so there's a question over whether Trump still has passion for this guy or wants to try someone else. Assuming the nomination is re-made, it then goes through committee again - a new hearing is not required, but written questions are still asked and the nomination must go through a two-meeting markup procedure. Only then does it go back to the floor, at which point the leader must find time for it again and pass CLOTURE on it again, before the senate could vote. All that is weeks or months for more crap to come up and doom the nomination even more.

McConnell knows that it's far easier to just bring the special counsel bill to the floor and thus get back Flake's vote, but thankfully for us McConnell's about as smart as a fruit fly (i.e. not smart at all).

[Pandaguineapig]

Tim Scott voting no on Farr

This doesn't mean the nomination is dead necessarily, they could just postpone the vote and have Trump re-appoint him in January when they gain two seats (Three if you count Flake leaving). Depends on if they view Farr as being worth it to do so

Yeah, but then you start the whole process over again. All nominations are sent back to the President because it's a new congress, so there's a question over whether Trump still has passion for this guy or wants to try someone else. Assuming the nomination is re-made, it then goes through committee again - a new hearing is not required, but written questions are still asked and the nomination must go through a two-meeting markup procedure. Only then does it go back to the floor, at which point the leader must find time for it again and pass CLOTURE on it again, before the senate could vote. All that is weeks or months for more crap to come up and doom the nomination even more.

McConnell knows that it's far easier to just bring the special counsel bill to the floor and thus get back Flake's vote, but thankfully for us McConnell's about as smart as a fruit fly (i.e. not smart at all).

The special counsel Bill is likely unconstitutional, but I agree that it would make sense for the Senate just to vote on the bill and let it die in the house. As for your first point, that is all true but the Senate often will fast-track reappointed nominees, like when the Senate quickly confirmed David Stras in January after gropey mcgroperson tried to stall his nomination

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Tim Scott voting no on Farr

This doesn't mean the nomination is dead necessarily, they could just postpone the vote and have Trump re-appoint him in January when they gain two seats (Three if you count Flake leaving). Depends on if they view Farr as being worth it to do so

Yeah, but then you start the whole process over again. All nominations are sent back to the President because it's a new congress, so there's a question over whether Trump still has passion for this guy or wants to try someone else. Assuming the nomination is re-made, it then goes through committee again - a new hearing is not required, but written questions are still asked and the nomination must go through a two-meeting markup procedure. Only then does it go back to the floor, at which point the leader must find time for it again and pass CLOTURE on it again, before the senate could vote. All that is weeks or months for more crap to come up and doom the nomination even more.

McConnell knows that it's far easier to just bring the special counsel bill to the floor and thus get back Flake's vote, but thankfully for us McConnell's about as smart as a fruit fly (i.e. not smart at all).

The special counsel Bill is likely unconstitutional, but I agree that it would make sense for the Senate just to vote on the bill and let it die in the house. As for your first point, that is all true but the Senate often will fast-track reappointed nominees, like when the Senate quickly confirmed David Stras in January after gropey mcgroperson tried to stall his nomination

Yeah, but there was no real effort to stall that nomination once Franken was out of the picture, and 7 democrats voted for it. Hardly the high stakes situation the Farr vote is.

And FWIW, unlike Mr. Farr, Mr. Stras had my support and would likely have my support again if Trump wants him on SCOTUS.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Well, uh, this is bold and terrifying at the same time. Trump may try again with his only failed circuit court nominee, Ryan Bounds: https://abovethelaw.com/2018/12/racism-is-no-obstacle-to-success-but-you-know-in-the-bad-way/


As a result of the death of George H.W. Bush, it has been announced there will be no further votes in the Senate until 4 PM ET Wednesday.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

McNamee passes CLOTURE on a party line vote of 50-49. Senator Tillis did not vote.

Tomorrow: Final Votes on McNamee and Kraninger.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

McNamee confirmed 50-49

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Kraininger confirmed 50-49

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Next up: Leader McConnell has filed cloture on Executive Calendar #1046 Justin Muzinich to be Deputy Secretary of the Treasury @USTreasury

Reminder that Farr and Kobes are still pending post-cloture in the event Flake changes course, or in the case of Kobes, the GOP can get perfect attendance.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Muzinich passes CLOTURE 55-43:

NAYs ---43
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Booker (D-NJ)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Donnelly (D-IN)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Heitkamp (D-ND)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 2
McCaskill (D-MO)
Tillis (R-NC)

Tomorrow: Final Vote on Muzinich

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Muzinich confirmed 55-44:

NAYs ---44
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Booker (D-NJ)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Donnelly (D-IN)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Heitkamp (D-ND)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Markey (D-MA)
McCaskill (D-MO)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 1
Tillis (R-NC)

Following this vote, Sen. Tillis arrived, and the nomination of Mr. Kobes to the 8th Cir. was confirmed 50-50 (Flake voted No) with Pence breaking the tie.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Leader McConnell has filed cloture on Executive Calendar #1042 Joseph Maguire to be Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Office of the Director of National Intelligence @ODNIgov

Consideration should begin Wednesday.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Maguire passes CLOTURE 95-1:

NAYs ---1
Paul (R-KY)

Not Voting - 4
Blunt (R-MO)
Johnson (R-WI)
Warner (D-VA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Maguire confirmed by Voice Vote

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Confirmed by Voice Vote:























Federal Maritime Commission Confirmed by Voice Vote:
PN 2642 L. E. Sola to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for a term expiring June 30, 2023
PN 2641 Daniel B. Maffei to be a Federal Maritime Commissioner for a term expiring June 30, 2022 (Reappointment)

ONDCP Confirmed by Voice Vote: Exec. Cal. #1092 James Carroll, Jr. to be Director of National Drug Control Policy

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1223 - Arthur B. Culvahouse, Jr. to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Commonwealth of Australia

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1222 - Lynne M. Tracy, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Armenia

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1221 - Christopher Paul Henzel, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Yemen

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1220 - Sarah-Ann Lynch, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Co-operative Republic of Guyana

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1219 - Earle D. Litzenberger, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Azerbaijan

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1218 - Matthew John Matthews, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Brunei Darussalam

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1217 - Michael S. Klecheski, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Mongolia

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1216 - Kyle McCarter, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Kenya

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1189 – Susan N. Stevenson, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Equatorial Guinea

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1188 – John Mark Pommersheim, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Tajikistan

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1187 – Patricia Mahoney, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Benin

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1186 – Dennis Walter Hearne, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Mozambique

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1185 – Eric George Nelson, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Bosnia and Herzegovina

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1184 – Eric Williams Stromayer, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Togolese Republic

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1183 – Richard Carlton Paschall III, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of The Gambia

Confirmed by VV: Cal. #1180 - Pelletier, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Madagascar, and to serve concurrently as Ambassador of the U.S. to the Union of the Comoros

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1179 - William H. Moser, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Kazakhstan

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1178 - Simon Henshaw, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Guinea

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1177 - Dennis B. Hankins, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Mali

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1176 - Judith Gail Garber, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Career Minister, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Cyprus

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1175 - Craig Lewis Cloud, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Botswana

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1174 - Donald Armin Blome, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to the Republic of Tunisia

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1173 - Lucy Tamlyn, a Career Member of the Senior Foreign Service, Class of Minister-Counselor, to be Ambassador of the United States of America to Central African Republic

---------------

No further nominations will be considered during the 115th Congress. All nominations remaining on the Executive Calendar or in any committee are considered to have been rejected, and must be renominated by the President for consideration in the 116th Congress.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Actually, one last nomination:

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1048 - William McIntosh to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency @EPA

[Badger]

Actually, one last nomination:

Confirmed by Voice Vote: Cal. #1048 - William McIntosh to be an Assistant Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency @EPA

Those damn partisan Democrats! Holding up every single one of Trump's nominations regardless of qualifications or.... Oh, wait.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Barr passes CLOTURE 55-44:

NAYs ---44
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Paul (R-KY)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Rosen (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 1
Booker (D-NJ)

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Barr confirmed 54-45:

NAYs ---45
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Booker (D-NJ)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hirono (D-HI)
Kaine (D-VA)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Paul (R-KY)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Rosen (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 1
Burr (R-NC)

[lfromnj]

I love how Tester is more liberal than Sinema.

[Calthrina950]

I love how Tester is more liberal than Sinema.

I'm still surprised that Tester, who is by far the most liberal Romney State Democrat (of which there are now just four-himself, Manchin, Jones, and Sinema), managed to win reelection last year, while Donnelly, McCaskill, and Nelson could not.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Next Nominations to be considered:

Calendar #16, Eric D. Miller to be U.S. Circuit Judge for the Ninth Circuit
Calendar #6, Michael J. Desmond to be Chief Counsel for the Internal Revenue Service and an Assistant General Counsel in the Department of the Treasury
Calendar #10, Andrew Wheeler to be Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Calendar #12, John Ryder to be a Member of the Board of Directors of the Tennessee Valley Authority for a term expiring May 18, 2021

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Miller passes CLOTURE 51-46:

NAYs ---46
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Booker (D-NJ)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hirono (D-HI)
Jones (D-AL)
Kaine (D-VA)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Rosen (D-NV)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Sinema (D-AZ)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 3
Cramer (R-ND)
Murkowski (R-AK)
Sanders (I-VT)

Tomorrow: Final Vote on Miller and CLOTURE vote on Desmond

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Miller confirmed 53-46:

NAYs ---46
Baldwin (D-WI)
Bennet (D-CO)
Blumenthal (D-CT)
Booker (D-NJ)
Brown (D-OH)
Cantwell (D-WA)
Cardin (D-MD)
Carper (D-DE)
Casey (D-PA)
Coons (D-DE)
Cortez Masto (D-NV)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Durbin (D-IL)
Feinstein (D-CA)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hassan (D-NH)
Heinrich (D-NM)
Hirono (D-HI)
Jones (D-AL)
Kaine (D-VA)
King (I-ME)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Leahy (D-VT)
Manchin (D-WV)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Murphy (D-CT)
Murray (D-WA)
Peters (D-MI)
Reed (D-RI)
Rosen (D-NV)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Shaheen (D-NH)
Smith (D-MN)
Stabenow (D-MI)
Tester (D-MT)
Udall (D-NM)
Van Hollen (D-MD)
Warner (D-VA)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)
Wyden (D-OR)

Not Voting - 1
Sinema (D-AZ)

And with that, we have marked an unfortunate moment in Senate History. This is the first time in literally forever that a judicial nominee has been confirmed over the objections of BOTH of their Home State Senators. (Miller is from WA)

Desmond passes CLOTURE 84-15:

NAYs ---15
Booker (D-NJ)
Duckworth (D-IL)
Gillibrand (D-NY)
Harris (D-CA)
Hirono (D-HI)
Klobuchar (D-MN)
Markey (D-MA)
Menendez (D-NJ)
Merkley (D-OR)
Reed (D-RI)
Sanders (I-VT)
Schatz (D-HI)
Schumer (D-NY)
Warren (D-MA)
Whitehouse (D-RI)

Not Voting - 1
Sinema (D-AZ)

Tomorrow: Final Vote on Desmond and CLOTURE vote on Wheeler

[emailking]

And with that, we have marked an unfortunate moment in Senate History. This is the first time in literally forever that a judicial nominee has been confirmed over the objections of BOTH of their Home State Senators. (Miller is from WA)

I don't personally consider that scenario unfortunate. The blue slip custom is stupid.