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.
Second No vote on Vilsack was by Senator Paul (R-KY).
Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) votes No on Tom Vilsack, President Biden's nominee for Agriculture Secretary.
Hawley votes No on Vilsack for Agriculture Secretary.
McConnell votes Yes for Tom Vilsack to be President Biden's Agriculture Secretary.
Cruz and Rubio both vote No on Tom Vilsack to be Agriculture Secretary.
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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 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.
House Budget Cmte favorably reported out the $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief reconciliation bill on a 19-16 near party line vote. Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) joined all Republicans in voting No. The bill now heads to House Rules Cmte before full House action later in the week.
"He supports the COVID-19 relief legislation."-Spox for Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-TX) who voted No on the bill in the House Budget Cmte today. "He misunderstood the vote."
Doggett (D-TX) spox full statement explaining the Congressman’s No vote:”Rep. Doggett was getting off the plane to DC from Texas and joined remotely in this hearing just as a vote was about to be announced. He misunderstood that vote. He supports the COVID-19 relief legislation.”