Four Cabinet nominations that could blow up in Donald Trump's face

[DonViejo]

By Amber Phillips December 26 at 8:00 AM



With a 52-to-48 Senate majority next month, Republicans will have power in numbers. But a handful of independent-minded GOP senators could arguably have even more power.

Just three Republicans could derail some of Donald Trump's critical Cabinet-level nominations, which need to be approved by a 51-vote majority of the U.S. Senate. (After Senate Democrats got rid of the filibuster in 2013 for nominations like these, they essentially took away their ability to block Trump's nominations, because a filibuster would have essentially translated into a 60-vote confirmation requirement.)

History suggests it's very rare for senators from the president's own party to block his Cabinet appointments. But it is a possibility for several of Trump's picks.

Here are four of Trump's nominations that could draw support from most Republicans — but resistance from a critical few:

Rex Tillerson: Secretary of state

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Jeff Sessions: Attorney general

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Steven Mnuchin: Treasury secretary

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James Mattis: Defense secretary

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/the-fix/wp/2016/12/26/four-cabinet-nominations-that-could-blow-up-in-donald-trumps-face/?tid=pm_politics_pop&utm_term=.ec8021f92da6

[jaysunb]

1. Ok, but what about a couple Democratic surrenders ? n/t