Confirmation Hearings

US President Trump looks set to get all his nominations for cabinet posts confirmed by the Senate after Senators McCain and Lindsey Graham said they would support Trump’s nomination of Rex Tillerson for the key post of US Secretary of State.
In a statement the two Republican Senators – who have a well-earned reputation as anti-Russian uber-hawks – dropped their objections to Tillerson on the grounds of his previous links whilst CEO of Exxon to Russia

Attorney General-designate, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., takes his seat on Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 10, 2017, after a break in his confirmation hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee. (AP/Alex Brandon)
(REPORT) — Jeff Sessions, a far-right senator from Alabama and Donald Trump’s choice for attorney general, the country’s top lawyer, said waterboarding was unlawful at his confirmation hearing on Tuesday.

Vice President-elect Mike Pence is welcomed at a news conference on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017, by House Speaker Paul Ryan of Wis. following a closed-door meeting with the GOP caucus. (AP/J. Scott Applewhite)
(ANALYSIS) — The Republican party appears to be employing a strategy wherein the public—and even lawmakers—will be too distracted to place much needed scrutiny on President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., left, meets with Secretary of State-designate Rex Tillerson on Capitol Hill in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017. (AP/Evan Vucci)
WASHINGTON, D.C. (REPORT) – After a day of meeting with the elected officials who hold his political future in their hands, former Texas Gov. Rick Perry left the Capitol with one thing in mind.