Cabinet confirmation hearings are generally more of a formality than anything else. Usually, unless a candidate is vastly unqualified, Cabinet nominees will pass through a Senate vote without drama.
This term, however, Democratic senators have been upset that their Republican colleagues are generally voting to confirm President Donald Trump’s picks. With the exception of Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his nomination for attorney general before the committee hearings, Trump has a perfect record so far in getting his nominees confirmed.
It should not be a surprise that a president is getting the Cabinet members he wants, but some Democrats think Republican senators should be turning down more nominations.
Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) suggested that some of Trump’s nominations would fail if the Senate voted by secret ballot.
“Republicans are being strongarmed by Donald Trump,” Schumer said before Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s confirmation vote.
When former President Joe Biden took office, he faced a 50-50 Senate. All of his Cabinet nominees were confirmed without the help of former Vice President Kamala Harris. In almost all cases, Democrats united to vote for Biden’s picks. Some of Biden’s nominees faced close votes, but it was not surprising when they were ultimately confirmed.
Former President George W. Bush also faced a 50-50 Senate upon taking office. Bush, however, got all of his main Cabinet nominees confirmed by Feb. 1, 2001, which is a record pace for 21st-century presidents.
Trump’s nominees have faced more criticism from his party’s senators than in previous administrations. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Todd Young (R-IN) expressed concern over the nominations of Kennedy and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, respectively, but both voted to confirm them in the floor votes. In addition, Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has voted to reject three Trump nominations, and Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME) and Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) have each voted “no” once.
Unless a candidate is vastly unqualified for the role, the president should be able to select the Cabinet members he wants. But under the two previous administrations, Senate confirmation votes have become more polarized, not only for Cabinet positions, but also for judicial appointments.
Despite not being able to define a woman, Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson, Biden’s lone Supreme Court nominee, was confirmed with the support of all Democrats and only three Republicans. Justice Amy Coney Barrett, Trump’s third nominee for the Supreme Court, passed without a single Democratic vote and with Collins voting against her.
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Presidential Cabinet positions are not lifetime appointments, however, and have less long-term impact than Supreme Court justices. As soon as a new administration enters office, the incoming president will select an entirely new Cabinet.
The purpose of a presidential Cabinet is to advise the president on the best way to enact his agenda. In the words of former President Barack Obama, “Elections have consequences.” Democrats had their way with the Biden Cabinet for four years. Now, it’s Trump’s turn to assemble his ideal Cabinet for the next four.