Biden's cabinet confirmation hearing begins on Tuesday
Biden's nominees for secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, director of national intelligence, defense secretary and secretary of Homeland Security will appear before Senate committees to be considered for their respective roles
US President-elect Joe Biden's national security Cabinet nominees will face Senate panels on Tuesday in the first step of the confirmation process.
Biden's nominees for secretary of state, secretary of the treasury, director of national intelligence, defense secretary and secretary of Homeland Security will appear before Senate committees to be considered for their respective roles, reports the CNN.
Joe Biden is set to take office on Wednesday without key members of his Cabinet in place, as the Republican-controlled Senate has moved more slowly to schedule confirmation hearings for his nominees than it has for previous presidents.
But the timeline for confirming Biden's nominees could accelerate in the coming days, when Democrats take control of the Senate.
Biden's Cabinet confirmation hearings could run up against the Senate's impeachment trial of outgoing President Donald Trump -- timing for which has not yet been scheduled -- and as Biden attempts to push through Congress his $1.9 trillion coronavirus vaccine and economic stimulus proposal.
Janet Yellen is the first one from Biden's cabinet to appear before the Senate Finance Committee to be considered for treasury secretary.
After that it will be Avril Haines, who will appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee to be considered for director of national intelligence; followed by Alejandro Mayorkas appearing before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee to be considered for secretary of Homeland Security.
Antony Blinken will appear before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to be considered for secretary of state.
Lloyd Austin appear before the Senate Armed Services Committee to be considered for secretary of defense.