“Obviously, we need a Treasury Department and other key positions, certainly. But in terms of the country’s security, there is a great sense of urgency, ”said Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.), The fourth Democratic leader, in an interview on Monday afternoon. Republicans “should absolutely work with us to make, at the very least, the confirmations we support for President Trump.”
Mayorkas, Austin, Blinken, Yellen and the nominee for Director of National Intelligence, Avril Haines, have hearings on Tuesday. Haines is another prospect for quick confirmation, given the politics and climate in Congress about the security breach on Capitol Hill.
“I hope our Republican colleagues will join us to appoint the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Secretary of State, the Attorney General and others as soon as possible,” said Democratic Senate leader Chuck Schumer, on Sunday. “When President Trump was president on the first day, both Defense and Homeland Security were assigned. We Democrats support this, we need cooperation ”.
In the Senate, any senator can oppose quick votes. When Schumer becomes the majority leader, he himself can force votes on the Cabinet nominees, but each would take several days. Democrats can confirm the nominees in the Senate unilaterally, once they have a majority.
Although Austin is popular in both parties, confirmation is more difficult because he needs a layoff to serve as secretary of defense, since he has not left the army for at least seven years. The House must approve this resignation before it can be confirmed, and Democratic leaders say it is a priority.
“The threat to domestic security that the United States now faces is serious. We need a Secretary of Defense at work immediately, “tweeted Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Who explained that he voted against Mattis’s resignation, but supports Austin’s because there is” simply much less reason to fear a newly general – retired performing DoD under Biden. “
Confirmation of any Cabinet employee can be difficult on the day of the inauguration for a number of factors. Three new Democratic senators, Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock of Georgia plus Alex Padilla of California, are due to be sworn in. And Kamala Harris is expected to be the vice president to give Democrats a 50-seat majority, with Harris breaking ties. All of these events must be official on Wednesday or Thursday.
In addition, the committees and the Senate in general must be organized by Schumer and Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell. These negotiations are ongoing, although they are likely to follow much of the precedent of the last 50-50 majority of 20 years ago. And adding to the intrigue: spokeswoman Nancy Pelosi has yet to send Trump’s impeachment articles to the Senate.
An impeachment trial could hurt other businesses, unless McConnell and Schumer agree on a timetable for Biden’s confirmations and trial. Senator Ben Cardin (D-Md.) Told MSNBC on Monday that he believed the impeachment trial would not start on the day of the inauguration.
McConnell and Schumer have been in discussions for several days and remain in contact, said a source familiar with the matter. McConnell said he would treat Biden’s nominees much better than Schumer treated Trump, although Democrats remember McConnell not being particularly kind to President Barack Obama’s choices.
“Much of how we proceed is about whether or not Mitch McConnell will want to help put people on the scene for the safety of the country and work with Chuck Schumer to move on. Or will he take a position he has previously held with President Obama? “Said Stabenow.” We do not know. And that makes a difference. “
Andrew Desiderio contributed to this report.