The Senate will begin voting on President-elect Donald Trump’s top nominees in the coming week, with Republicans hoping Democrats will cooperate to confirm at least one on Inauguration Day.
No votes have taken place yet because Mr. Trump cannot formally submit the nominations to the Senate until he is sworn into office on Monday.
Secretary of State nominee Marco Rubio, the outgoing senior senator from Florida, is most likely to be confirmed on Inauguration Day because he has bipartisan support and goodwill from his longtime Senate colleagues.
“I believe he will get significant Democratic support,” Senate Foreign Relations Chairman James E. Risch, Idaho Republican, told The Washington Times. “He’s highly respected up here because of the service on the committees that he’s had, and his relationship with the senators.”
All 100 senators would need to consent to a time agreement to hold any confirmation votes on Mr. Trump’s first day in office, so some of his more partisan picks are unlikely to see quick action.
Republicans want to speedily confirm Mr. Trump’s national security leadership team, but will likely face resistance from Democrats to accelerate the floor process for Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth. Democrats have questioned his qualifications and raised concerns about allegations of misconduct that Mr. Hegseth has denied.
“I would be delighted if they didn’t insist on using all the debate time,” said Senate Armed Services Chairman Roger Wicker, Mississippi Republican.
Committee votes are scheduled on Monday after Mr. Trump’s swearing-in to report out Mr. Rubio’s and Mr. Hegseth’s nominations, as well as the nomination of Kristi Noem for Homeland Security secretary.
Central Intelligence Agency Director nominee John Ratcliffe is also expected to see a committee vote as soon as Monday, and all four national security nominees are ones that Republicans hope to confirm quickly.
Ms. Noem’s confirmation is a top priority in part because Mr. Trump is planning to use his executive authority on day one to direct her department to take actions to secure the border.
The first piece of legislation Congress is expected to send to Mr. Trump’s desk this week, an immigration enforcement measure, will also require implementation from Ms. Noem’s Homeland Security Department.
The Senate is scheduled to vote Monday evening on final passage of the Laken Riley Act, named after a Georgia nursing student murdered by a Venezuelan immigrant who illegally crossed the border but was released on parole.
The bill would require detention and potential deportation of illegal immigrants who are arrested for burglary, theft, larceny, or shoplifting, as was the case with Ms. Laken’s murderer. It would also allow states to sue the federal government for not enforcing existing border and immigration laws.
While the House passed its version of the Laken Riley Act earlier this month, it will need to vote again on the Senate version, which includes an amendment requiring detention of illegal immigrants who assault law enforcement officers.
The Senate is also taking action to advance nominees in critical domestic policy roles.
In addition to Ms. Noem’s nomination, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee will vote Monday on Russell Vought’s nomination to serve as White House Office of Management and Budget director.
He has a lot of work to do in conjunction with lawmakers when he enters office, with a March 14 government funding deadline fast approaching and Republicans eyeing quick action through the budget reconciliation process on border and defense funding and other spending cuts.
Mr. Vought also will need approval from the Senate Budget Committee, which scheduled a hearing on his nomination for Wednesday. He served as OMB director during Mr. Trump’s first term and is expected to be confirmed to the post again, but is expected to face unanimous Democratic opposition like he did in 2018.
Also on Wednesday, the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will vote on Sean Duffy’s nomination for Transportation secretary.
The Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee will hold a confirmation hearing Tuesday, followed by a vote Thursday, on Doug Collins’ nomination to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary.
Mr. Duffy and Mr. Collins, both former House members, are expected to receive bipartisan support.
Confirmation hearings for other nominees are also on tap.
Rep. Elise Stefanik, nominated for United Nations ambassador, will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Tuesday.
On Thursday, Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke Rollins will testify before the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee, and Army Secretary nominee Daniel P. Driscoll will testify before the Armed Services Committee.
• Lindsey McPherson can be reached at lmcpherson@washingtontimes.com.