Senate Republican leaders, anxious to overcome Democrat's delaying tactics, are pushing to get four more of President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees confirmed by Feb. 13. And they are threatening to work through next weekend to meet their goal, The Hill reports.
The GOP leadership wants Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos confirmed on Tuesday before it votes on Sen. Jeff Sessions, R., Ala., for attorney general; Rep. Tom Price, R-Ga., to head Health and Human Services, followed by Steven Mnuchin for the Treasury Department, according to The Hill.
"Under regular order, we wouldn't be through until Sunday, but the expectation is that (Democrats) realize what the outcome will be and they don't want to stay in session over the weekend," Senate Republican Whip John Cornyn said.
Meanwhile a Senate Republican aide warned to "expect long nights" next week as the GOP runs time off the procedural clock so the nominees can be confirmed.
Republican Sens. Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski have already come out against DeVos — leaving little room for error in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 52-48 majority, the website noted. Republican leaders scheduled the vote on her confirmation on Tuesday so they could ensure all GOP members were present, The Hill reported.
"We want to make sure we have full attendance," Cornyn said.
Trump has pushed hard to get his nominees approved, Politico reported. At one pointed he said: "When will the Democrats give us our Attorney General and the rest of the Cabinet."
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