Following the flurry of personnel announcements for President-elect Donald Trump’s incoming administration, the nominations process is now officially underway. Senate hearings are set to take place this week for several of Trump’s picks for the Cabinet. These nominees have already met with individual senators and will now face the committees overseeing the agencies they are nominated to lead. Below is the schedule for the upcoming Senate hearings in Eastern Time:
Tuesday
– 9 a.m.: Doug Collins, Department of Veterans Affairs: Former Georgia congressman and military veteran Doug Collins will be the first to appear before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. The VA provides healthcare services to former members of the U.S. armed forces.
– 9:30 a.m.: Pete Hegseth, Department of Defense: Former “Fox & Friends” host and Army National Guard combat veteran Pete Hegseth will face the Senate Armed Services Committee. Some senators have raised concerns about his suitability for the role due to allegations of excessive drinking and sexual misconduct.
– 10 a.m.: Doug Burgum, Interior Department: Former North Dakota governor Doug Burgum, a Trump supporter, will be considered for the role of interior secretary by the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Wednesday
– 9 a.m.: Kristi Noem, Homeland Security Department: South Dakota governor Kristi Noem will appear before the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs. She is set to lead an agency critical to Trump’s border security and deportation policies.
– 9:30 a.m.: Pam Bondi, Justice Department: Former Florida attorney general Pam Bondi will face the Senate Judiciary Committee. Bondi was selected to replace Matt Gaetz, who withdrew from consideration amid controversy.
– 10 a.m.: Sean Duffy, Transportation Department: Former Wisconsin congressman Sean Duffy will be questioned by the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee on his nomination for the Transportation Department.
– 10 a.m.: John Ratcliffe, CIA: Former Director of National Intelligence John Ratcliffe is scheduled to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee.
– 10 a.m.: Marco Rubio, State Department: Florida Senator Marco Rubio will be questioned by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
The Senate Relations Committee is currently deliberating on Marco Rubio’s nomination for the position of secretary of state. If appointed, Rubio would take the helm at the State Department, where he would be responsible for overseeing the operations of the U.S. foreign service. In addition to this crucial role, Rubio’s duties would also include providing counsel to President Trump on diplomatic appointments and leading negotiations with foreign dignitaries on behalf of the administration.
Chris Wright, a prominent figure in the energy industry known for his staunch opposition to climate change initiatives, is scheduled to testify before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. As a potential candidate for the role of Energy Department secretary, Wright would be tasked with supervising energy production and consumption within the United States, as well as managing the nation’s nuclear arsenal. Moreover, he would collaborate with Governor Burgum on the National Energy Council, shaping policies that impact the energy sector.
Russell Vought, who served as the Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during President Trump’s first term, is set to appear before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Vought played a significant role in Project 2025, a conservative agenda outlining priorities for Trump’s potential second term. As OMB director, Vought’s responsibilities would entail developing the president’s budget and scrutinizing proposed regulations to ensure fiscal prudence.
On the legislative agenda for Thursday, former NFL player Scott Turner, who led the White House Opportunity and Revitalization Council under the Trump administration, is scheduled to testify before the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee. Turner, a multifaceted professional with experience as a mentor, pastor, and former Texas House member, would oversee the Department of Housing and Urban Development. In this capacity, he would address the country’s housing needs, enforce fair housing laws, and manage housing initiatives for low-income individuals.
In another panel, former New York congressman Lee Zeldin is slated to address the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee regarding his potential role at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA’s mandate encompasses various environmental protection activities, including assessments, research, education, and enforcement of national standards to safeguard public health and the environment.
Later in the day, Scott Bessent, a prominent money manager from South Carolina, will field questions from members of the Senate Finance Committee in his bid to become the Treasury Department’s chief. If confirmed, Bessent would become the first openly LGBTQ Cabinet member in a Republican administration. In his capacity as treasury chief, he would play a pivotal role in shaping financial, economic, and tax policies while managing the nation’s public debt.
While the aforementioned hearings are scheduled, dates are yet to be confirmed for several of President Trump’s nominees. Among the notable figures awaiting their hearings are Lori Chavez-DeRemer for the Labor Department, Tulsi Gabbard for the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for the Health and Human Services Department, Howard
