Biden Cabinet Confirmation Live Thread ***hearings, votes, etc.***

[AndyHogan14]

So are we expecting the House to vote on the waiver at around 8pm ET?

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

So are we expecting the House to vote on the waiver at around 8pm ET?

Hoyer's daily forecast says 3-4 pm. Not sure where you're getting 8.

[AndyHogan14]

So are we expecting the House to vote on the waiver at around 8pm ET?

Hoyer's daily forecast says 3-4 pm. Not sure where you're getting 8.

I was looking at the C-SPAN schedule and completely skipped over the earlier "House of Representatives" time. Ha.

Thanks.

[President Johnson]

10 AM Today: Buttigieg Hearing

On the House side, anticipated members of the House Armed Services Committee (most committee members have not been ratified by the House yet) will hold a closed-door briefing with Austin. In the afternoon, the House is expected to vote on and pass H.R. 335, Authorizing the Waiver for Austin. It will then proceed to the Senate, where it must pass before the vote on the nomination itself can take place.

--

10 AM Friday: Finance Committee Vote on the Yellen Nomination

I'm watching Mayor Pete. He's doing quite well. For anyone who's interested: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tp0Z56IVTeQ&ab_channel=NowThisNews

[AndyHogan14]

The House is currently voting on the Austin waiver...so far, it looks like it will easily pass.

[LtNOWIS]

The House is currently voting on the Austin waiver...so far, it looks like it will easily pass.

I'm on record as opposing it, but I'm sympathetic to the arguments they made on the floor. That we just need to get any qualified nominee in there, as soon as possible.

[AndyHogan14]

As I am watching the House vote, it has me wondering is there is a plan to allow voting by proxy in the Senate now that Democrats are in control? Anyone heard anything on the topic?

[President Johnson]

From what I've seen in senate hearings, the tone is actually quite civil, what surprises me. Even most Republican senators are calm and respectful. Hopefully it stays that way.

[Horus]

Will be interesting to see the final vote on the waiver. Likely a mix of the most partisan Republicans and extremely by the book pro overregulation Dems.

[AndyHogan14]

Will be interesting to see the final vote on the waiver. Likely a mix of the most partisan Republicans and extremely by the book pro overregulation Dems.

So far, there are healthy majorities from both parties in the House voting in favor of the waiver...they are closing in on 2/3 majority with 85 more left to vote.

[AndyHogan14]

Schumer just came on and said that the Senate is going to start debate on HR 335 (the waiver), so we may have a Defense Secretary by the end of the day.

[AndyHogan14]

The waiver passed the House, 326-78.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

As I am watching the House vote, it has me wondering is there is a plan to allow voting by proxy in the Senate now that Democrats are in control? Anyone heard anything on the topic?

There's been no talk of it so far. A rules change like that requires a 2/3 vote (unless you go nuclear which Manchin and Rs won't do on principle) anyways, and although some GOPers have started using proxy voting now, the official party position remains opposition to it.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

https://twitter.com/SenateCloakroom/status/1352366437642416141?s=20

[AndyHogan14]

So far, the nays are Merkley, Warren, Blumenthal, Cotton, Hawley, Collins, Cortez-Masto, Blackburn, and Sasse. Strange group there.

22 yeas so far with Sanders voting in the affirmative.

EDIT:
Lummus, Toomey, and Young are nays. It currently stands at 26-12.

EDIT (2):
Scott (FL), Duckworth, Baldwin, Young, and Rubio are added to the nays. It's 40-17 favoring yea.

EDIT (3):
New nays are Lee and Gillibrand. It's now 53-19.

EDIT (4):
The waiver passes, however, they are still voting. It's 60-20. New nay is Barrasso.

EDIT (5):
It's 62-24 New nays are Murray, Wyden, Rosen, and Booker.

EDIT (6):
Getting close to the end, it's 68-27. New nays are Tester, Markey, and Van Hollen.

[Ferguson97]

So far, the nays are Merkley, Warren, Blumenthal, Cotton, Hawley, Collins, Cortez-Masto, Blackburn, and Sasse. Strange group there.

22 yeas so far with Sanders voting in the affirmative.

EDIT:

Lummus, Toomey, and Young are nays. It currently stands at 26-12.

EDIT (2):

Scott (FL), Duckworth, Baldwin, Young, and Rubio are added to the nays. It's 40-17 favoring yea.

EDIT (3):

New nays are Lee and Gillibrand. It's now 53-19.

Odd group of people, I wonder what their reasoning is.

[brucejoel99]

Schumer just came on and said that the Senate is going to start debate on HR 335 (the waiver), so we may have a Defense Secretary by the end of the day.

Unfortunately nope, the actual confirmation vote itself is gonna be taking place tomorrow after some Senators requested time to review Austin's written responses to further Armed Services Committee questioning.

[LtNOWIS]

Will be interesting to see the final vote on the waiver. Likely a mix of the most partisan Republicans and extremely by the book pro overregulation Dems.

List isn't out on the House site yet, but you can see it here: https://twitter.com/JordanUhl/status/1352372114121240578

The 15 Dems don't just love rigidly adhering to regulations for their own sake. It's an ideological vote. There's a couple centrist veterans and a lot of left wingers, who are concerned about maintaining civilian control of the military.

[Crumpets]

From the Buttigieg hearing:

https://twitter.com/stevemorris__/status/1352283707441356805

[Horus]

Cheney, Hawley, Gillibrand and Omar all voted against the waiver. When the worst people in both parties are against something...

Disappointed in Bowman.

[Ferguson97]

Cheney, Hawley, Gillibrand and Omar all voted against the waiver. When the worst people in both parties are against something...

Disappointed in Bowman.

What's your beef with Gilli?

[Horus]

Cheney, Hawley, Gillibrand and Omar all voted against the waiver. When the worst people in both parties are against something...

Disappointed in Bowman.

What's your beef with Gilli?

Her shift on gun rights and her attitude during the primary debates.

[AndyHogan14]

FINAL VOTE:

69-27, the waiver passes.

[🐒Gods of Prosperity🔱🐲💸]

Lmao, Lindsey Graham says he intends to vote for Blinken, calls him an excellent choice.

Why would that be surprising?