Controversial Trump nominees clear a path to confirmation – Washington Examiner

The article discusses ‌President Donald Trump’s efforts to confirm several controversial nominees for his Cabinet, maintaining a perfect record with prior confirmations. Notable nominees include Tulsi Gabbard, who faced scrutiny during her Senate confirmation⁤ hearing for the position of director of national intelligence but has now moved forward‌ for a vote. GOP Senators, who previously had reservations, ultimately supported her nomination. Robert F.Kennedy Jr., ⁢nominated for secretary of health and human services, has also advanced despite some bipartisan concerns but garnered a critical vote from Republican Sen. bill Cassidy.‌ Kash Patel’s nomination as FBI director has yet⁢ to be evaluated by the Senate Judiciary⁢ Committee after‌ Democrats delayed the vote​ due to concerns regarding his past‍ remarks. Trump ‌is progressing ‌with⁣ his nominations‌ amidst political challenges.


Controversial Trump nominees clear a path to confirmation

President Donald Trump has had a perfect record with getting Cabinet picks who go through hearings confirmed this term, and despite some of the more controversial nominees heading for a vote this week, it appears they will not have significant trouble in sealing the deal.

Trump has already seen several of his picks confirmed by the Senate, including some controversial nominees like Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Office of Management and Budget Director Russel Vought, but still faces steps before other controversial picks can report to their nominated roles.

Tulsi Gabbard

Gabbard, a former Democrat, was one of the nominees expected to have the most trouble passing the Senate. There were some shaky moments during her public confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Committee. Concern over her answers on Edward Snowden, among other topics, in her bid to become the director of national intelligence.

The two GOP senators who had shown some reservations with Gabbard’s nomination, Sens. Todd Young (R-IN), Jerry Moran (R-KS), James Lankford (R-OK), and Susan Collins (R-ME), all voted with their Republican colleagues on the committee to advance her forward to a vote before the full chamber.

Gabbard’s nomination is up for a cloture vote Monday evening. If Gabbard gets the necessary majority for cloture, Democrats would have roughly 30 hours of debate, which they could use to hold up the final vote.

If she advances through the cloture vote and Democrats use up all the debate time, then a final vote on her nomination would occur on Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. Assuming no Democrats vote for her nomination, Gabbard could lose three senators’ votes and still be confirmed.

Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

Kennedy is another former Democrat who has had concerns from both sides of the aisle, but was nominated by Trump to be the secretary of health and human services.

During his hearing, one of his biggest critics from the GOP side was Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), a former physician, but despite the several clashes he had with Kennedy, the Louisiana Republican said he would back Trump’s pick to lead HHS.

“With the serious commitments I’ve received from the administration and the opportunity to make progress on the issues we agree on like healthy foods and a pro-American agenda, I will vote yes,” Cassidy said in a statement on social media last week.

Kennedy advanced to the full Senate, after being reported favorably out of committee, 14-13, on a party line vote. His nomination will be handled by the full chamber after Gabbard’s process has concluded, and Kennedy will also only be able to afford losing three GOP senators – unless Democrats decide to vote for him.

Senate Democrats appear unlikely to support Kennedy, but there have been few signs that he’d lose enough Republicans to endanger his confirmation, now that Cassidy has voted for Kennedy.

Kash Patel

Patel is Trump’s nominee to be FBI director and has yet to be voted on in the Senate Judiciary Committee after Democrats exercised their power to delay the panel vote by a week.

Democrats have expressed their concern over Patel’s past comments about various topics, accusing him of dealing in conspiracy theories and misinformation. Several key Republicans who could tank Patel’s nomination have not indicated how they would vote, but like the other nominees, he can only lose three Republican Senate votes to advance without the help of Democrats.

Patel will be voted on by the Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday.

Trump has had 13 Cabinet level officials confirmed as he enters his fourth week back in the White House.



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