The confirmation process for President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Cabinet is underway. After a Tuesday hearing with Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, several other key members of the incoming administration went before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run. Here's a look at the schedule for today's Senate hearings, in Eastern time: 9:30 a.m.: Pam Bondi, attorney generalThe former Florida attorney general makes the first of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was Trump's pick for attorney general hours after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz was facing questions about a federal sex trafficking investigation and a House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl.Bondi is a longtime fixture in Trump's orbit. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given the concern among Democrats that Trump will look to bend the Justice Department to his will.10 a.m.: Sean Duffy, Transportation DepartmentThe former Wisconsin congressman who was also a co-host on Fox Business was questioned by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The department oversees pipelines, railroads, cars, trucks, airlines and mass transit systems, as well as funding for highways.10 a.m.: John Ratcliffe, CIA Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term, went before Senate Intelligence Committee. The former Texas congressman is in line to lead the nation's premier spy agency, responsible for foreign covert operations and collecting data on U.S. adversaries.10 a.m.: Marco Rubio, secretary of state The Florida senator has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination to be secretary of state. As head of the State Department, job, Rubio would oversee the U.S. foreign service, advise Trump on diplomatic appointments and conduct negotiations with foreign leaders on behalf of the administration.10 a.m.: Chris Wright, secretary of energyThe fossil fuel executive, who has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change, appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The secretary oversees energy generation and use in the United States as well as the nation's nuclear weapon stockpile. Wright would also join Burgum on the National Energy Council.1 p.m.: Russell Vought, Office of Management and BudgetVought, OMB director during Trump's first term, went before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that the Republican nominee tried to distance himself from during the campaign. The budget director oversee the building of the president’s budget and review of proposed regulations.
WASHINGTON — The confirmation process for President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Cabinet is underway.
After a Tuesday hearing with Trump's defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth, several other key members of the incoming administration went before the committees overseeing the agencies that Trump wants them to run.
Here's a look at the schedule for today's Senate hearings, in Eastern time:
9:30 a.m.: Pam Bondi, attorney general
The former Florida attorney general makes the first of two scheduled appearances before the Senate Judiciary Committee. She was Trump's pick for attorney general hours after his first choice, former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew from consideration. Gaetz was facing questions about a federal sex trafficking investigation and a House Ethics Committee inquiry into allegations that he paid for sex, including with a 17-year-old girl.
Bondi is a longtime fixture in Trump's orbit. The attorney general will be one of the most closely watched Cabinet members, given the concern among Democrats that Trump will look to bend the Justice Department to his will.
10 a.m.: Sean Duffy, Transportation Department
Jacquelyn Martin
Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., speaks during a hearing July 18, 2018, on Capitol Hill in Washington. President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Duffy to be Transportation Secretary.
The former Wisconsin congressman who was also a co-host on Fox Business was questioned by the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee. The department oversees pipelines, railroads, cars, trucks, airlines and mass transit systems, as well as funding for highways.
10 a.m.: John Ratcliffe, CIA
Manuel Balce Ceneta
Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe, testifies before a hearing April 18, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington.
Ratcliffe, director of national intelligence for the final months of Trump’s first term, went before Senate Intelligence Committee. The former Texas congressman is in line to lead the nation's premier spy agency, responsible for foreign covert operations and collecting data on U.S. adversaries.
10 a.m.: Marco Rubio, secretary of state
DREW ANGERER/CNN
Sen. Marco Rubio, of Florida
The Florida senator has served on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, which is considering his nomination to be secretary of state. As head of the State Department, job, Rubio would oversee the U.S. foreign service, advise Trump on diplomatic appointments and conduct negotiations with foreign leaders on behalf of the administration.
10 a.m.: Chris Wright, secretary of energy
The fossil fuel executive, who has been one of the industry’s loudest voices against efforts to fight climate change, appeared before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. The secretary oversees energy generation and use in the United States as well as the nation's nuclear weapon stockpile. Wright would also join Burgum on the National Energy Council.
1 p.m.: Russell Vought, Office of Management and Budget
Bill Clark
Russ Vought participates in a photo-op for the printing of President Donald Trumps budget for Fiscal Year 2020 at the Government Publishing Office in Washington on Thursday, March 7, 2019.
Vought, OMB director during Trump's first term, went before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Vought was closely involved with Project 2025, a conservative blueprint for Trump’s second term that the Republican nominee tried to distance himself from during the campaign. The budget director oversee the building of the president’s budget and review of proposed regulations.
