After voting on a number of nominees for Administration positions yesterday, the Senate followed the lead of the House and left town for a shortened August recess.
Although the members of the Senate left Washington yesterday, the chamber will hold pro forma sessions every three days to prevent recess appointments, should dramatic things occur in the context of the Russia investigations during the remainder of the month.
Category: Trump Cabinet nominations
Two More Cabinet Nominees Clear Committee
On March 30, the Senate Agriculture Committee and the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee reported out the nominations of Sonny Perdue and Alexander Acosta for the posts of Secretary of Agriculture and Secretary of Labor, respectively.
The nominations now head to the full Senate for its consideration.
Rick Perry Confirmed as Secretary of Energy
Today the Senate confirmed Rick Perry as Secretary of Energy. Perry, the former Texas governor and two-time Republican presidential candidate, was confirmed with a 62-37 vote.
Ben Carson Confirmed as HUD Secretary
By a vote of 58 – 41, the Senate confirmed this morning Ben Carson as Secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Carson, a former neurosurgeon, was a competitor to Donald Trump in the 2016 Republican Presidential primary.
Zinke Confirmed as Secretary of Interior Today
The Senate voted today to confirm Rep. Ryan Zinke to run the Department of the Interior.
Zinke, a Montana Republican, is a former state senator and Navy SEAL commander, as well as an avid hunter and angler who has positioned himself as a Teddy Roosevelt conservationist. He is expected to be sworn in this afternoon.