South Dakota U.S. Sen. John Thune said Senate Republicans have an aggressive schedule to confirm President-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees and to enact their agenda.
Thune made the remarks during a leadership press conference in Washington DC on Tuesday. Thune is the incoming Senate Majority Leader when Republicans take control of the Senate next year.
Thune said his caucus held an issues conference last week and that they plan to move forcefully and aggressively.
“One thing I can tell you coming out of that conference is Republicans united around making sure that President Trump’s nominees are put in place and ready to roll up their sleeves and go to work," Thune said in opening remarks. "We, also, are prepared to take care of the people’s business in this country and move forward with an agenda to get the country back on track when it comes to the economy, when it comes to energy, when it comes to the border.”
Hundreds of nominees will face Senate confirmation hearings. South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem is selected to lead the Department of Homeland Security.
Other high profile cabinet secretaries are facing increased scrutiny.
The new Congress gets sworn in at the beginning of next year.
