Senate braces for 'train wreck' as hearings kick off for Trump Cabinet picks

Source: NBC News

Jan. 13, 2025, 5:00 AM EST


WASHINGTON — The Republican-led Senate is slated to hold more than a dozen hearings this week for President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, with the hope of confirming them quickly after he’s inaugurated on Jan. 20.

The selections coming before the Senate range from those who are expected to have smooth paths to confirmation, like Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., for secretary of state, to others who face headwinds and need the hearings to garner support, such as former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, a military veteran, for defense secretary.

“We’re going to have a little bit of a train wreck next week of confirmation hearings,” Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, told reporters last week. “But I’m glad we’re getting those done, and the FBI background check would naturally be a part of that process.” The hearings kick off Tuesday with Hegseth; former Rep. Doug Collins, R-Ga., Trump’s pick for veterans affairs secretary; and former North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum for secretary of the interior.

On Wednesday, hearings will feature Rubio; former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi, Trump’s pick to head the Justice Department; South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem to head up the Department of Homeland Security; former National Intelligence Director John Ratcliffe, who was picked to lead the CIA; former Trump White House Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought, who was tapped to fill the role again; former Rep. Sean Duffy, R-Wis., who was selected for transportation secretary; and oil and gas industry executive Chris Wright, Trump’s choice for energy secretary.

Read more: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/senate-braces-train-wreck-hearings-kick-trump-cabinet-picks-rcna186651

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One (or more) of the CSPANs will usually show these "live" (CSPAN3 is one not directly tied to the floor actions of Congress so it doesn't have the restrictions that CSPAN or CSPAN2 have), but they are usually recorded and would be shown later. CSPAN Radio might also provide audio to any of them.

If either or both chambers are in session, CSPAN (House coverage) and CSPAN2 (Senate coverage) will defer to airing floor activities (vs hearings) "live" regardless.

I expect that PBS would cover a few and other entities like AP might cover the more contentious/news-worthy ones.