Confirmation delays for Trump’s nominees have been delayed due to paperwork delays at federal offices.
Several of President-elect Donald Trump’s second-term Cabinet picks have been cited by Senate committees to extend their confirmation powers.
The nomination of Doug Collins to serve as Veterans Affairs secretary and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum as Interior secretary came Tuesday as part of an ambitious effort by Trump’s transition team and Senate Republicans. Check out Trump’s cabinet.
However, they were late at the last minute. That meant two of the three hearings scheduled for Tuesday were pushed back, leaving just one hearing to select Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth later that day.
The Dem senator, who was embarrassed by Hegseth’s performance, stood by Dodd Sec, who oversaw Afghanistan’s withdrawal from the race.
Some of President Donald Trump’s nominees, such as Goves. Doug Bergham, left, and Kristy Nome see their proofreading skills slow. (Getty Images)
More confirmation hearings take shape on Wednesday — including energy nominee Chris Wright, attorney general nominee Pam Bondi, CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe, transportation secretary nominee Sean Duffy and secretary of state nominee Marco Rubio — including another key hearing for Trump’s secretary of state. Homeland Security nominee Gov. Kristi Noem, R-Sd., postponed.
According to a source familiar with the matter, NOM completed all necessary documents on time, but the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is still waiting for the FBI section.
Even if the hearings move, Trump said there will be no delays in confirming his transition team. Taylor Rogers, a Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman, said: “There are no delays, the paperwork is moving quickly to ensure a smooth confirmation process and allow President Trump to implement the agenda mandated by the American people in one day.” press release.
Trump’s Attorney General nominee Pam Bondi to testify before the Judiciary Committee
President-elect Donald Trump has nominated Governor Kristy Noam to lead DHS. (Getty Images)
Each of the extended hearings got a new date, Burgum on Thursday and Noem on Friday. However, Collins’ hearing will not be held until next Tuesday, the day after Trump’s inauguration.
The Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs had not received the FBI report on Collins as of Monday afternoon, Fox News was told. However, all other relevant documents have been handed over to the committee.
A committee aide told Fox News that the delay was not Collins’ fault, stressing that he submitted everything on time.
“Congressman Doug Collins has filed all his paperwork on time and has been open and upfront with the committee,” said committee chairman Jerry Moran, R-Kan. “At this time, the FBI has not completed a routine background check on Congressman Collins. In accordance with longstanding practice, the committee should have the opportunity to review Congressman Collins’ FBI file before his confirmation hearing. I expect the FBI will complete it. The committee will be quickly reviewed to continue its role in reviewing the presidential nominee.”
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Rep. Doug Collins’ Tuesday hearing was postponed. (Erin Scott-Poole via Getty Images)
The week’s extended hearings include others who have not yet received attention or attention from committee chairmen, such as Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, UN Ambassador nominee Rep. Elise Stefanik, RN.Y, and Agriculture Secretary nominee Brooke. Rollins, among others.
Republicans have blamed bureaucratic delays in processing certain paperwork as the reason why confirmation hearings are delayed or not scheduled.
A source familiar with the matter told Fox News that Senate Republicans and the Trump administration are doing everything they can, but in light of two recent federal government snow days, document processing has fallen victim to bureaucratic oversight.
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The FBI seal appeared on stage before a news conference at the agency’s headquarters in Washington. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana, file)
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According to a Senate Democratic source, Trump will have difficulty trying to confirm nominees on Inauguration Day. “We know he wants to do it, but the delay will be a challenge,” he told Fox News Digital.
A GOP source on one committee told Fox News Digital that waiting for the paperwork “was stressful.” Committees have also had trouble trying to contact the US Office of Government Ethics regarding nominees’ documents. The source added that at times the media seemed to have more information than the committee.
