Nominations, Appointments, and Hearings

• Attorney General: Judge Merrick Garland’s nomination will be a bit delayed as Senator Cotton has refused to expedite the final confirmation vote due to Garland’s alleged “unsatisfactory” responses to questions surrounding immigration, the death penalty, and race equity. Notwithstanding Sen. Cotton’s stance, Garland has enough bipartisan support to be confirmed.
• HHS Secretary: The Senate Finance Committee advanced Xavier Becerra’s nomination for Health and Human Services Secretary Wednesday by a tie vote of 14-14 – moving the nomination to the full Senate for floor debate.
• OMB: Following the president’s withdrawal of his former nominee Neera Tandem, both Democrats and Republicans (including Senator Graham) in Congress are lining up behind Shalanda Young – the former staff director and clerk for the House Appropriations Committee who is currently nominated for the deputy director role at OMB. Other potential nominees for the spot include Ann O’Leary, former chief of staff to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, and Gene Sperling, former National Economic Council director for former Presidents Obama and Clinton. Young’s “legislative prowess, extensive knowledge of federal agencies, incisive strategic mind and proven track record will be a tremendous asset to the Biden-Harris administration,” Speaker Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, and Majority Whip James E. Clyburn said in a joint statement. (Excerpt from Taylor-Strategies, Congressional Update)
• Interior/Deputy Energy Secretary: The Senate Energy and Natural Resources panel also considered Deb Haaland’s nomination to lead the Interior Department and held a confirmation hearing for David M. Turk, nominated Deputy Energy secretary.