Leader of the majority of the Senate Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Trump signs bill to extend government funding for 24 hours Surprise medical bill prevention included in year-end legislative package Congress agrees 0 stimulus checks MORE (R-Ky.) Promises to hold votes for president-elect Joe Biden
Joe BidenTrump signs bill to extend government funding for 24 hoursThe cabinet will choose whether Republicans will retain control of the majority of the chamber next year.
McConnell, in an interview with former adviser Scott Jennings published Monday, predicted that Republicans would be more receptive to Biden’s nominees than Democrats. President Trump
Donald Trump Trump Signs Bill to Extend Government Funding for 24 Hours Congress Approves One-Day Emergency Bill Before Closing Deadline What’s in Coronavirus Bill 0 Billion MOREis in 2017.
They “won’t all vote, and they won’t all make it, but I’ll put them on the floor,” McConnell said.
He added that he would treat Biden a lot better than that [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer
Chuck Schumer Why AOC Should Be Next To Lead DNC Senators Reach Deal On Fed Powers, Paving The Way For Coronavirus Emergency Passage Coronavirus Relief Deal Hinges On Fed Lending Powers Talks [D-N.Y.] ever treated Donald Trump. “
Which party will run the senate next year will be decided by two second elections in Georgia, scheduled for Jan. 5.
The GOP leader has not said how many of Biden’s cabinet choices he would let through on the first day of the new government.
When asked about Biden’s cabinet last week after publicly congratulating the former vice president on winning the White House, McConnell objected.
“Well, look, our first job here is to try to finish this session with this administration, and we have plenty of time to talk about the way forward,” McConnell told reporters.
McConnell and Biden have had a relationship that lasted for decades, including making deals during the Obama administration.
McConnell praised Biden for acknowledging his victory on the floor – weeks after the presidential race was declared – and noted that he was “no stranger to the Senate. He has devoted himself to public service for many years.”
Republicans were frustrated in 2017 when Democrats agreed to have just two of Trump’s cabinet choices confirmed on day one of his administration, compared to six for then-President Obama and seven for then-President George W. Bush. By February 10, he had confirmed seven, compared to Obama’s 12 and Bush’s 14, which was his entire cabinet.
Democrats are calling on Republicans to hold confirmation hearings for Biden’s choices early next year before inauguration, so the Senate can be ready to confirm some of Biden’s first-day choices.
Notably, two choices have caused GOP backlash so far: Neera Teeth
Neera TandenBarrasso: Biden nominees will ‘run the gauntlet’ as GOP checks Senate House GOP worries about Biden’s top cabinet nominees Asian lawmakers put their sights on Biden’s Labor Secretary choice MORE to become White House Office of Management and Budget director and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra
Xavier BecerraCHC urges Biden to elect Latinos to be head of Education Department, SBA: Google report hit with another state antitrust lawsuit Pressley urges Newsom to appoint black woman to Harris’ seat MORE, who was nominated for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Others like Lloyd Austin
Lloyd Austin The ‘Biden Team’ is risk-averse, but capable and ready Biden’s closet is built for comfort, not speed. The Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – US Inoculations Begin; state voters declare Biden; Barr is out MORE for the Pentagon, Tony Blinken for Secretary of State and Janet Yellen
Janet Louise Yellen Repetition of past mistakes can be a ray of hope for many Americans. Fight for the powers of the Federal Reserve to hold back that year-end deal Joe Biden’s impending disaster MORE for the treasury secretary, early signs of GOP support have been received.
Her. John Thune
John Randolph ThuneCongress Approves One-Day Emergency Bill Before Closing Deadline Negotiators Solve Last-Minute Problems as COVID Bill Closes Closer to Finish Congress Closes Major Coronavirus Control Deal, Government Funding (RS.D.), McConnell’s No. 2, stopped promising that every candidate would get a vote on the Senate floor, but predicted that Republicans would be open to nominees within the ‘mainstream’.
“When they said nominees who are in the mainstream, you know, every president deserves to fill this administration with people he’d like to have there. And unless they’re not qualified or have an ethical issue or something like that, my assuming they will get a fair hearing here and presumably a vote, ”he told reporters on Monday.
He added that if Republicans control the Senate, they would likely focus on affirming national security-related positions first.
“I suspect there would be an attempt, especially for national security appointments, to move them quickly to make sure none have lapsed. And so when we come back and our members in early January be sworn in, before the presidential inaugural address, “I have time for committees to do their jobs and to start the process,” he said.