Staff Reports
Vice President-elect J.D. Vance is stepping up to the plate as he prepares to guide Team Trump’s Cabinet nominees through the labyrinthine hallways of Capitol Hill. As a sitting senator from Ohio until next year, Vance is fittingly playing the role of the escort for the new administration’s picks, getting them suited up and presentable for their first impressions on the Senate.
The Senate holds the keys to confirming President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees, and while the formal dog and pony shows don’t kick off until January, there’s nothing stopping these nominees from making connections now. Several Republican senators have already confirmed that Vance is in charge of setting up these crucial meet-and-greets. It seems the only question left is whether the meetings are scheduled or just a hazy promise on Vance’s calendar.
VP-elect Vance just arrived to Capitol Hill with 2 of President-elect Trump’s cabinet picks — former Rep Matt Gaetz and Sen Marco Rubio
Gaetz and Vance are expected to meet with Senators today about his nomination to be AG pic.twitter.com/a7EFOubyBV
— Kelly Phares (@kellyfphares) November 20, 2024
As the good senators ponder how to handle their new guests, fellow Republican John Cornyn highlighted Vance’s status as “one of us.” Typically, that translates to possessing the requisite conservative credentials, which is always a plus when navigating the choppy waters of Senate confirmation. However, there’s still some mystery regarding whether Vance will be the “sherpa” for all of Trump’s nominees or just a select few, leaving many senators rubbing their chins in thought.
Among the nominees making the rounds is former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who’s been dragged into the headlines for all the wrong reasons. His nomination as attorney general has hit some rough waters due to serious allegations involving impropriety—he outright denies these accusations. Though the House Ethics Committee had prepared to dig into Gaetz’s alleged misdeeds, their authority vanished when he resigned from Congress. Nevertheless, the crafted report may still see the light of day, creating a potential storm for those pushing for Gaetz’s confirmation.
Joining Gaetz on the Washington stage are other Trump nominees, including Pete Hegseth for Defense Secretary and Elise Stefanik for Ambassador to the UN. Senate Republican Conference Chair John Barrasso has confidently declared that as soon as the new Congress is sworn in, confirmation hearings will speedily commence. The goal? To ensure the President’s sharp nominees are reviewed and voted on promptly, with Barrasso praising these individuals for their readiness to reignite the nation’s momentum.
Trump is stirring the pot even more, suggesting the Senate consider recess appointments for nominees that might attract the Democrats’ long knives. This tactic requires a 10-day adjournment from both chambers, a detail that Democrats, naturally, oppose. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell has had to put the rumor mill to rest regarding recess appointments, attempting to play it cool while deflecting the notion that he would stray from the esteemed norms of the Senate. McConnell’s assurance does little to quell the excitement over what promises to be a rocky confirmation season, especially with the impending leadership change with John Thune waiting in the wings.
The stage is set for a confirmation showdown as Vance makes his grand entrance, ushering in a new era of Trumpian governance. With nominees lining up, congressmen whispering in hallways, and a crowded agenda ahead, all involved will undoubtedly be on their toes, ready to navigate both the expected and unexpected bumps in the road to Trump’s second term.
