Donald Trump will likely have several of his Cabinet selections confirmed on Inauguration Day following private negotiations between Republican Sen. Mitch McConnell and Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer, Politico reported.
Schumer, the Senate minority leader, in late December called for McConnell to reschedule some of the hearings so members on multiple committees would be able to attend. He also wanted comprehensive financial disclosures and complete ethics disclosures and time for committee members to review all of those documents.
McConnell rearranged Wednesday's schedule to have three confirmation hearings instead of six, leaving the door open for the confirmation of appointees Schumer did not consider "problematic" by Inauguration Day – James Mattis as defense secretary, Mike Pompeo as CIA Director, and John Kelly as secretary of the department of homeland security.
Rex Tillerson's confirmation for secretary of state might have to wait.
"If they file the papers, we have fulsome hearings on a timely basis, and don't stack them on top of one another, I think it leads to opportunities for votes on the cabinet at an earlier time," Senate Minority Whip Dick Durbin, D-Ill., told Politico.
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