Senate confirms 6 Obama Cabinet officials, OMB director
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.
This is good, we need for business to start.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
He objected because she's as qualified to run State as he is the country. Good reason to give pause and rethink things.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
It's OK. Let Republicans like THIS ONE keep digging. They'll lose even more seats in 2010.
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!!
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.
The republicans can't give Hillary a break.....Didn't you see what the people wanted Hillary and barack..let it go Cornyn
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!!
John Cornyn is an idiot! That is really bad form!
PLEASE .........STOP........ INSULTING CHRISTIANS........ OBAMA IS OUR PRESIDENT...... NOT THE....... MESSIAH!
HOPE WON......... HOPE WON......... HOPE WON........ HOPE WON!