Romney will oppose Tanden for OMB Director:"Senator Romney has been critical of extreme rhetoric from prior nominees,and this is consistent with that position.He believes it’s hard to return to comity and respect with a nominee who has issued a thousand mean tweets" per his spox.
Senator Rob Portman (R-OH) will oppose Neera Tanden's nomination: "When President Biden announced his intention to nominate Ms. Tanden as OMB Director, I expressed concern and urged him to reconsider."
Portman:"As a former OMB Director, I know that the OMB Director has to be able to work productively with members of Congress on both sides of the aisle."
Portman: "I believe that the tone, the content, and the aggressive partisanship of some of Ms. Tanden’s public statements will make it more difficult for her to work effectively with both parties in this role."
Portman on Tanden: "I’m also concerned about her decision to delete thousands of tweets in the month after the election and the lack of transparency in her decision to do so, as well as her lack of experience on key issues for OMB, such as the regulatory and budgeting processes."
Portman: "While the president has the right to choose his own Cabinet, and thus far I have supported all of this administration’s nominees, I will not be supporting the confirmation of Ms. Tanden.”
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A candlelight vigil and moment of silence was held outside the US Capitol tonight by Members of Congress led by their bipartisan bicameral leaders for the over 500,000 Americans who have died from COVD-19. c-span.org/video/?509255-…
Senate NOW voting to confirm former Obama Agriculture
Secretary Tom Vilsack to be Agriculture Secretary in the Biden Administration. Simple majority is needed. The former Iowa Democratic Governor was first confirmed to lead the USDA in January 2009 by voice vote.
Iowa GOP Senator Joni Ernst votes Yes on former Iowa Democratic Governor Tom Vilsack's nomination to be Agriculture Secretary.
NRSC Chair Rick Scott (R-FL) was the first Senator to vote No on Tom Vilsack, President Biden's nominee for Agriculture Secretary.
Senate NOW voting on the confirmation of Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be US Ambassador to the United Nations and US Representative in UN Security Council, the first of her two nominations for the UN post. Simple majority is needed.
Hawley votes No on Linda Thomas-Greenfield to be US Ambassador to the UN.
Cotton votes No on Linda Thomas-Greenfield's nomination to be US Ambassador to the UN.
Schumer from Senate floor on status of Commerce Sec confirmation vote:"We also hope to do Gina Raimondo, Secretary nominee for Secretary of Commerce, early next week." Her nomination has been pending on Senate calendar awaiting flr vote since Feb 3rd,before the impeachment trial.
Schumer announced from Senate floor after noting today's 1st Senate hearing on January 6th attack: "Later this week, all Senators will be briefed by the acting Chief of Police and the acting Senate Sergeant at Arms on the current and future security measures around the Capitol."
Schumer on COVID relief:"Let our Republican friends put their votes where their speeches are in helping schools, getting money,opening schools safely.Not in simply trying to make political pt & then trashing the schools w/o giving them money they need..It’s a total contradiction"
Senate Energy Chair Manchin (D-WV) on Interior Sec nominee Haaland:"I've always believed the President should given wide latitude in the selection of his or her Cabinet,but I also take Senate's constitutional obligation to advise and consent to President's nominations seriously."
Senate Energy Ranking Member Barrasso (R-WY) on Interior Secretary nominee Haaland: "I am troubled by many of Rep. Haaland's views, views that many in my home state of Wyoming would consider as radical."
Barrasso (R-WY): "If Representative Haaland intends to use Department of Interior to crush the economy of Wyoming and other western states, then I'm going to oppose the nomination."
Schumer announces Senate plans to vote on nominees for Energy & Education Secretary:"For the rest of the week, we will continue to confirm members of the President's Cabinet.First,Jennifer Granholm to serve as Sec of Energy. Second,Dr Miguel Cardona to serve as Sec of Education."
Schumer then filed cloture on Jennifer Granholm's nomination to be Energy Secretary, setting up Senate floor votes for later in the week.
With no Senate vote announced on her HUD Secretary nomination, Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-OH) will be a member of Congress for at least another week. Senate Banking Cmte approved her nomination 17-7, reporting it out to the full Senate on February 4th.