Senate Democrats plan to hone in on several of Trump’s Cabinet picks
U.S. Rep. Tom Price, R-Roswell, won’t be President-elect Donald Trump’s only Cabinet pick to be grilled by Senate Democrats for his financial, political and business dealings.
Democrats on their own don't have the votes to sink any of Trump's nominees, who collectively have an estimated net worth of at least $13.1 billion, according to The Boston Globe. That's because of a divisive change to filibuster rules that then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., made in 2013.
Democratic Party leaders have indicated they’ll concentrate on several Trump picks in particular, subjecting them to tough questioning during their confirmation hearings that Democrats hope will build up public pressure against their nominations.
Democrats are honing in on:
- Rex Tillerson — Trump's pick for secretary of state has been scrutinized for his business ties to Russia as CEO of oil giant Exxon Mobil. Democrats have also promised to double down on his personal financial information after Senate Foreign Relations Chairman Bob Corker, R-Tenn., said Tillerson will not need to release his tax returns as part of the confirmation process.
- Jeff Sessions — Even though Trump's nominee for attorney general is a colleague, Senate Democrats are unhappy with Sessions' past statements on civil rights, immigration and marijuana. They've brought up his record as an Alabama prosecutor and the Senate's rejection of him for a federal judgeship back in the 1980s due to past remarks deemed racially charged.
- Andrew Pudzer — Democrats are particularly steamed about Trump's Department of Labor nominee, who heads the parent company of burger chains Hardee's and Carl's Jr., due to his opposition to raising the minimum wage, as well as his stance on other labor laws.
- Scott Pruitt — The Oklahoma attorney general, whom Trump has tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, infuriates Democrats because he's joined in on legal battles against the agency's global warming regulations. He's also disliked for rejecting the conclusion of climate scientists that humans contribute to climate change.
If all Republicans stick together, the most Democrats can do is drag out Senate consideration of the nominations by a few days. But they’re hoping that by holding the nominees’ feet to the fire they can drum up public pressure during the Senate’s confirmation hearings next month.
About the Author
Tamar Hallerman is an award-winning senior reporter for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. She covers the Fulton County election interference case and co-hosts the Breakdown podcast.
