CNN reporting that cabinet confirmation hearings will be held during the first weeks of January and

[DCBob]

then voting on confirmation of key people will be made immediately after the inauguration -- even possibly that same afternoon and evening. They can hold confirmation hearings but they cannot vote to confirm until President Obama is sworn in.

[gblady]

1. sounds like....

they'll be hitting the ground running...

is this the usual...or is it different...

[FrenchieCat]

2. Very different. Kind of smells like "Change"!

"Some of us will only
recognize Change when it
hits us upside the head!"

[Two Americas]

6. Lincoln

This is similar to the Lincoln administration. There were people working, Seward for example, and others, before Buchanan left office. It was almost a government within a government for a few months.

This may be because we are in a crisis of similar scope and import.

[cali]

8. actually, it's not very different. It's great, but it's happened

in the past.

[FrenchieCat]

9. Not as far as I can remember.

Everything old becomes new again, and all that jazz....I'm saying.

[Ozma]

19. Gee, just what we wanted.

What's going on? America is a democracy? Who knew?

[cliffordu]

20. BWaaaahhah hahaha !!!!!

:rofl: very nice!!!

[DCBob]

3. Not entirely unusual but seems like they are expediting the process as much as possible.

I suspect they will focus on the key positions like Treasury and State.

[tritsofme]

7. They held confirmation hearings for Clinton appointees before the inauguration IIRC.

nt

[John Q. Citizen]

10. Yep. it's actually seriously different. They are talking work instead of coronation. They are

talking substance over fashions at the celebrations etc.

I'm impressed that the Dems have a consensus for action. We've seen this incoming administration signaling very big moves on health care. My bet is they will try to pass a major transformative package in the first year.

They will do it in conjunction with an infrastructure rebuilding program and a national service tied to educational assistance. That way they can get more bang for the buck and have a greater overall impact on a number of different areas.

They are attempting to reassure Americans that help is on the way.

[Cha]

13. It's just what some of expected

would happen and why we worked and wanted an Obama admin so badly.

Seeing it go into action is a lot different than imagining it, though.

[TexasObserver]

4. Awesome!

[ProSense]

5. The new Senate convenes January 6, 2009

Not unusual.

[Sebastian Doyle]

11. Isn't that standard procedure?

And in fact, probably the reason that the new Congress is sworn in two weeks before the new President is - so they can hold confirmation hearings and have a functional Cabinet ready to roll on the 20th.

[DCBob]

12. Sounds like they are going to expedite the process as much as possible..

especially for the key appointments. Apparently Senate Repubs have agreed to confirm key appointments ASAP even as early as the same day of inauguration.

[AlinPA]

14. I expect that the republicans will filibuster all cabinet positions. They do not want Obama

to make any progress on anything.

[DCBob]

15. CNN said even the Republicans were on board to expedite the confirmation process..

especially for key positions like Treasury.

[AlinPA]

17. I don't believe it.

[Perky]

16. Is that technically legal?

I mean the nomination to be a cabinet secretary has to be proffered by the president right? The president elect has no actual authority to do anything at all.

I guess technically hearings are not the same as approval.

[DCBob]

18. Yes, it is legal and has happend before.

Hearings can happen before inauguration but the actual vote to confirm must be after.