Six of president-elect Donald Trump’s nominees to top positions in his administration face their first Senate confirmation hearings today. The six nominees — Pam Bondi, John Ratcliffe, Russell Vought, Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Chris Wright and Sean Duffy — are not among Trump’s most controversial picks. Barring any serious, unforeseen issues they are widely expected to be confirmed shortly after Trump is sworn into office on Monday. Each hearing is expected to last between three and four hours. The nominees for attorney general, director of central intelligence and the White House Office of Management and Budget will all testify before their committees of jurisdiction, as well as Trump’s picks for secretaries of state, energy and transportation.
The Senate stands adjourned until 12:00 P.M. when it is expected to take up Cal.#1, S.5, Laken Riley Act with roll call votes in relation to amendments to S.5. The Laken Riley Act is a Republican-led bill that mandates federal detention for immigrants who are charged with minor crimes and grants broad enforcement powers to states. The legislation passed the House last week, 264-159, with 48 Democrats in support. Senators voted 82-10 on Monday to take up consideration of the measure. Republicans need several Democrats to surpass the 60-vote threshold in a final tally.
The House will meet for legislative business at 12:00 P.M. and is expected to consider pursuant to a Rule, H.R. 33 – United States-Taiwan Expedited Double-Tax Relief Act.
The House will also take up two bills under suspension of the Rules: H.R. 164 – POWER Act of 2025 and H.R. 144 – Tennessee Valley Authority Salary Transparency Act.
