Days after President Donald Trump's inauguration, the Senate is getting ready to vote on his cabinet picks for the secretary of commerce -- Wilbur Ross -- and the head of the transportation department -- Elaine Chao. The Senate Commerce Committee said Sunday it will vote on the nominations of billionaire investor Ross and former Labor Secretary Chao on Tuesday. Once the picks have been approved by the committee, the Senate will take up their nominations. Republicans have been critical of the speed at which Senate Democrats are approving Trump's cabinet picks -- only two of his nominations have been approved yet -- but Democrats maintain it is necessary for those taking office to face proper questioning. "These people are going to have enormous power over Americans for years," Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer told NBC on Sunday.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, an adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, speaks to members of the media in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York in November. After weeks of filling out his Cabinet, President-elect Donald Trump's nominees must now face confirmation hearings this week before Senate committees. Starting Tuesday, Trump's picks for attorney general, Homeland Security chief and secretary of state, among others, will testify before the Senate during a week marked by political debuts and goodbyes. President Barack Obama's farewell speech will be held in Chicago on Tuesday, while Trump will hold his first news conference in months the following day. PBS NewsHour will live stream several of these throughout the week.
Sen. Jeff Sessions, an adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, speaks to members of the media in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York in November. After weeks of filling out his Cabinet, President-elect Donald Trump's nominees must now face confirmation hearings this week before Senate committees. Starting Tuesday, Trump's picks for attorney general, Homeland Security chief and secretary of state, among others, will testify before the Senate during a week marked by political debuts and goodbyes. President Barack Obama's farewell speech will be held in Chicago on Tuesday, while Trump will hold his first news conference in months the following day. PBS NewsHour will live stream several of these throughout the week.