cabinet

The federal judge, once denied a Supreme Court confirmation hearing by Republicans, faced lawmakers Monday for his nomination to lead the Justice Department.

The former Supreme Court nominee will face the Senate this week as President Biden's pick to lead the Justice Department. If confirmed, he'll inherit a department reeling from political scandals.

Senate confirmation of the first immigrant to lead DHS comes on the same day President Biden is expected to sign a series of executive actions on immigration.

The 39-year-old former South Bend, Ind. mayor is both the first openly gay man confirmed to a Cabinet position and the youngest member of President Biden's Cabinet.

Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo, expected to oversee the U.S. Census Bureau as the next commerce secretary, says she will "rely on the experts" at the agency to ensure the 2020 census is accurate.

Austin's near-unanimous confirmation came despite concerns raised on both sides of the aisle that he hadn't been out of uniform for the legally mandated minimum seven-year period.

Alejandro Mayorkas, who would be the first Latino and first immigrant to lead DHS, was previously the head of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Senate returns for the first time since the Jan. 6 riot at the Capitol. Five committees will question nominees to lead Defense, State, Homeland Security, Treasury and the top intelligence post.

Normally, the Senate confirms a few Cabinet officials before Inauguration Day. But President-elect Joe Biden will need to turn to career civil servants for help because of delays.

Only one of Biden's Cabinet nominees, retired U.S. Army Gen. Lloyd Austin, has a confirmation hearing scheduled.