January 20, 2009
Posted: January 20th, 2009 04:15 PM ET

WASHINGTON (CNN) - In an early expected victory for President Barack Obama, the U.S. Senate approved seven high-ranking administration officials Tuesday afternoon.

Only hours after Obama's swearing-in ceremony, Steven Chu was confirmed as energy secretary, along with Arne Duncan as secretary of education, former Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano as secretary of homeland security, former Sen. Ken Salazar as secretary of the interior, retired Gen. Eric Shinseki as secretary of veterans affairs, and former Iowa Gov. Tom Vilsack as secretary of agriculture.

Peter Orszag was also approved as director of the Office of Management and Budget.

All seven were approved on a single voice vote.

A roll-call vote for Secretary of State-designate Hillary Clinton is expected to be held Wednesday. Clinton's nomination was delayed by a day and forced to a roll call vote because of an objection filed Tuesday by Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.

Filed under: President Obama


Mari   January 20th, 2009 7:57 pm ET

PLEASE .........STOP........ INSULTING CHRISTIANS........ OBAMA IS OUR PRESIDENT...... NOT THE....... MESSIAH!

HOPE WON......... HOPE WON......... HOPE WON........ HOPE WON!

Steve Green   January 20th, 2009 7:34 pm ET

John Cornyn is an idiot! That is really bad form!

Mike, FL   January 20th, 2009 7:31 pm ET

I am glad to see Reps and Dems getting together to get things done!

We are in a very mess economy unseen since the great depression and we can't afford to fight over ideology!!

MM   January 20th, 2009 5:48 pm ET

The republicans can't give Hillary a break.....Didn't you see what the people wanted Hillary and barack..let it go Cornyn

Anonymous   January 20th, 2009 5:48 pm ET

Greg Davis – just because the messiah is now in office, doesn't mean Mr. Cornyn has to keep his mouth shut. He's just doing his job as he see fit, unlike the democRAT spending machine counting your money so they can spend it. I would think you all should be more concerned about queen PElosi's demand that Nobama repeal the Bush tax cuts now. OH, I forgot, you people that voted this crap into office don't work or even pay taxes so you don't know what tax cuts are. Oops.

Kevin   January 20th, 2009 5:47 pm ET

Whaa, Whaa, Whaa. Hey, I want Sir Hillary to get into office, and start fixing the bad reputation that the USA has gotten due to the last President. Whining over the Republics doing something that the Dems stated Bill Clinton should have done is actually an Honorable thing. Jeez! You people wouldn't think that A Democrat wouldn't try to slip something in at the last minute. I mean, it is chaotic, would a Dem like Pelosi, Reid, Barney Franks, and numerous others try something so outlandish???!!! All Joking aside, we need Obama and Hilary to move forward and get things done, and the best way to do that is to get his huge American backers to fight the Republicans AND the Democrats to do what is right, and not what is easy!! We should really find a way to make the Congressional and Senatorial positions limit the time to 3 terms. Maybe then, we can get rid of the corruption!!

KW, Vail AZ   January 20th, 2009 5:44 pm ET

It's OK. Let Republicans like THIS ONE keep digging. They'll lose even more seats in 2010.

legal in nc   January 20th, 2009 5:41 pm ET

Funny I didn't see any of you hypocrits screaming when the democrats did the same thing to Bush.

Just shows you immaturity children,,, grow up!

European American   January 20th, 2009 5:39 pm ET

Look folks like it or not, Cornyn has the right to request what he did. Hillary Clinton is going to be Secretary of State so if there is any questionable dealings from her husband that may be a conflict of interest to her. We the people need to know.
Is it going to be like this every time a republican questions anything?
Partisan politics! Democrats- either agree with them or you are just being Partisan! You are dividing the nation if you don't just go along.

Rick in WA   January 20th, 2009 5:38 pm ET

Yeah, how dare you...taking that "advice and consent" stuff seriously! And for those of you who don't get my post–take PoliSci 101.

Angie   January 20th, 2009 5:28 pm ET

John Cornyn is one of those stupid, stuck in the dark John Cornyn repub's.he is a leftover bush lacky. texas needs to get rid of him. LOSER.

BUSH BEGONE, HALLELUJAH!   January 20th, 2009 5:26 pm ET

yeah and Cornyn;s commercials for re-election here in Texas were about how he was tired of partian-ship.

Right, now he is the only one that wants to leave the country without a Secretary of State.

Just another rethug obstructionist, being a pain in the arse, because he can.

We will remember.

Mobius   January 20th, 2009 5:26 pm ET

He objected because she's as qualified to run State as he is the country. Good reason to give pause and rethink things.

Tracy M.   January 20th, 2009 5:24 pm ET

Do you live in Texas? Call or write Cornyn right NOW! Whether you support this petty move or not, you need to let your voices be heard. It's time we took back our country. Past time.

Joe   January 20th, 2009 5:23 pm ET

Cornyn is a bum. What kind of point is there to make with this, delaying the inevitable and becoming a force of conflict during a time when solidarity is needed.

Greg Davis   January 20th, 2009 5:06 pm ET

John Cornyn needs to get over it. Obama is now the President. It's time we stop the devisive politics that we have been dealing with for the past eight years

Donna   January 20th, 2009 5:05 pm ET

This is unacceptable. Because of the unrest all over the world Hillary Clinton's vote should have taken place today. Shame on you Senator Cornyn for playing politics at a time like this. Let this not be a sign of things to come.

adam   January 20th, 2009 5:04 pm ET

I am from TX ~ and John Cornyn's opponent is going to get all of my support, fiscal as well as logistic. Heck, I may even try to get him into a primary race to weaken him, too.

He is a bad politician ... and, on behalf of like minded Texans, I apologize for allowing him to win his seat.

Mike   January 20th, 2009 4:44 pm ET

The Republicans have already started playing their BS games. He "objects" and puts it on hold. What crap.
This is just the start of the Republicans slowing down Obama.

Nee   January 20th, 2009 4:28 pm ET

This is good, we need for business to start.

Comments have been closed for this article

subscribe RSS Icon
About The Ticker

The latest political news from CNN's Best Political Team, with campaign coverage, 24-7. Sign up for our twice daily Ticker emails. Got a news tip or feedback? For complete political coverage, bookmark CNNPolitics.com.

CNN=Politics Screensaver

CNN=Politics ScreensaverTap into the power of The Situation Room. Download this powerful new tool that keeps you posted on the latest political news from the campaign trail.
Download (4.1 MB, PC only)

twitter
@edhenrycnn: My colleague Dan Lothian and I show what's it's like on the road with the President - http://bit.ly/7XSU53 #cnn
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:09:21 -0800
hambypCNN: Big game for the Hoyas tonight against Butler @ 7PM. @moelleithee, @mikemadden and @karentravers will be watching, and you should too.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 13:04:26 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: DNC's Tim Kaine debates RNC's Michael Steele today 6 PM Eastern in SitRoom. They disagree on how to create jobs and reform health care.
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 12:14:20 -0800
@wolfblitzercnn: Sir Nigel Sheinwald, Britain's ambassador to US, comes into SitRoom today. Afghanistan, Iraq on the agenda. Are two allies on same page?
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 11:49:31 -0800
@CNNPolitics: RT @@psteinhauserCNN: New CNN Poll: Optimism on economy fading? - http://bit.ly/5saSOJ
Updated: Tue, 08 Dec 2009 09:31:47 -0800
Categories
Powered by WordPress.com VIP