FY 2022 National Defense Authorization Act Clears House Committee
The House Armed Services Committee has advanced H.R. 4350 the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2022 in a bipartisan 75 to two vote last week. The legislation now advances to the full House of Representatives for review. The massive legislative package includes various provisions impacting the Department of Defense and national security missions.
Partnership for Public Service Calls for Reduction in Number of Senate-Confirmed Appointees, Highlights Trends in Senate Confirmation Process
An August 9, 2021 report from the Partnership for Public Service argues that Senate confirmations of political appointees to fill vacancies are a slow and time-consuming process and many positions should not require Senate confirmation at all.
Biden Nominees Begin Senate Confirmation Hearings
President-elect Joe Biden is nominating new people to his cabinet as he prepares to serve as the next President of the United States. The Senate has five hearings for key officials on January 19th. The nominations are: Retired Army Gen. Lloyd Austin to serve as Secretary of Defense, Janet Yellen to serve as Secretary of the Treasury, Alejandro Mayorkas to serve as Secretary of Homeland Security, Antony Blinken to serve as Secretary of State, and Avril Haines to serve as Director of National Intelligence.