Trump Cabinet Confirmation Hearings Underway
As President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office again, his nominees for various posts are in the process of appearing before the Senate.
Sean Duffy, Trump’s pick for transportation secretary, appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee on Jan. 15. Duffy, of Wisconsin, previously served in the House of Representatives from 2011-2019. Since then, he has been a contributor for Fox News.
During his hearing, Duffy said that he and his team plan to “craft clear regulations that balance safety, innovation and cutting-edge technology” if he is confirmed.
No hearing has been scheduled for Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump’s selection to run the Labor Department. Chavez-DeRemer served as a representative for Oregon from 2023-2025, recently being defeated after her first term.
Lee Zeldin, who Trump tapped to helm the Environmental Protection Agency, appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on Jan. 16. Zeldin spent eight years as a New York congressman.
Zeldin said during his hearing that “we must protect our precious environment without suffocating the economy” and that he plans to increase the agency’s productivity.
After the committee hearings, each nomination can be sent to the full Senate to be voted on; to be confirmed, a nominee must get a simple majority vote.