U.S. Treasury and Health Secretaries and Attorney General Confirmed in Senate Committees

Republican senators suspended the rules of the U.S. Senate Finance Committee and confirmed Trump's nominees for the Treasury and Health Departments without the presence of Democrats. Jeff Sessions' qualifications for the Attorney General position have also been confirmed. All three must receive final approval in the Senate floor. According to AFP, the Republicans' action to suspend the committee's rules followed a boycott of the committee by Democrats during the confirmation hearings for Steven Mnuchin for Treasury and Tom Price for Health and Human Services. Senator Orrin Hatch, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, on Wednesday, February 1, suspended the committee's rules regarding the quorum of senators present at the meeting and put Mnuchin and Price's nominations to a vote. These two nominees from Donald Trump must receive final approval in the Senate floor. Orrin Hatch stated that the suspension of the Senate Finance Committee rules was due to "unexpected obstruction" from some of his colleagues. He noted, "To be on the record, please note that the Senate parliamentary office has confirmed that this action is consistent with the rules of this committee and the Senate." The confirmation hearing for the two nominees of the U.S. President was held without the presence of Democratic senators. Democrats have expressed concerns about the qualifications of Mnuchin and Price for the Treasury and Health Departments. Tom Price, a representative from Georgia in the U.S. Congress, is a serious critic of the Obama healthcare law, which currently covers nearly 20 million Americans. Tom Price is also anti-abortion and against laws that support LGBTQ rights. The Wall Street Journal reported that Tom Price has bought and sold $300,000 worth of shares in 40 healthcare and pharmaceutical companies in the past four years; a sector in which he has been involved in legislation that has faced severe criticism from Democrats. Meanwhile, the Senate Judiciary Committee on Wednesday confirmed Jeff Sessions for the Attorney General position by a vote of 11 to 9. Final approval will be voted on in the Senate floor. Another concern for Democrats is the nomination of 49-year-old Judge Neil Gorsuch for membership in the U.S. Supreme Court. If confirmed, this judge will replace Antonin Scalia, who passed away 11 months ago. Neil Gorsuch is a judge on the Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in the United States. He is known for his conservatism and believes in a textual interpretation of the U.S. Constitution. Chuck Schumer, the leader of the Senate Democrats, issued a statement saying, "Given his record, I have serious doubts about Neil Gorsuch's ability to meet the standards for this position." The Democratic leader added, "Judge Gorsuch has repeatedly sided with corporations over workers and has expressed hostility towards women's rights..." In this context, with the Senate's vote, Tillerson moved one step closer to assuming the position of Secretary of State. Donald Tusk: Trump's executive orders are concerning threats to the European Union. Trump nominated Neil Gorsuch as his candidate for the Supreme Court.