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Biden had a long history with Antony Blinken, which led to his nomination for secretary of state. Blinken was deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration and was national security adviser to Biden when he was vice president. When Biden was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Blinken was the Democratic staff director. Blinken was confirmed 78-22 by the Senate.
Biden had a long history with Antony Blinken, which led to his nomination for secretary of state. Blinken was deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration and was national security adviser to Biden when he was vice president. When Biden was the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Blinken was the Democratic staff director. Blinken was confirmed 78-22 by the Senate.
Deb Haaland was a second-term U.S. representative for New Mexico when Biden nominated her for secretary of the interior. Not only is Haaland the first Native American to hold the position of Secretary of the Interior, but Haaland is also the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Haaland was confirmed 51-40 by the Senate.
Deb Haaland was a second-term U.S. representative for New Mexico when Biden nominated her for secretary of the interior. Not only is Haaland the first Native American to hold the position of Secretary of the Interior, but Haaland is also the first Native American cabinet secretary in U.S. history. Haaland was confirmed 51-40 by the Senate.
Biden broke the gender barrier by nominating Janet Yellen as secretary of the treasury. Yellen is the first woman to hold the position. When Biden was vice president, Yellen was the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve. Yellen was confirmed 84-15 by the Senate.
Biden broke the gender barrier by nominating Janet Yellen as secretary of the treasury. Yellen is the first woman to hold the position. When Biden was vice president, Yellen was the first woman to lead the Federal Reserve. Yellen was confirmed 84-15 by the Senate.
Since Lloyd Austin has been out of the U.S. Army for less than seven years, his nomination required a waiver approved by the House and Senate. Once Austin was confirmed 93-2 by the Senate, he became the first Black secretary of defense. Austin was also the first Black general to command an infantry division in combat.
Since Lloyd Austin has been out of the U.S. Army for less than seven years, his nomination required a waiver approved by the House and Senate. Once Austin was confirmed 93-2 by the Senate, he became the first Black secretary of defense. Austin was also the first Black general to command an infantry division in combat.
Biden nominated Marcia Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fudge served as a member of the House of Representative from Ohio from 2008 until her nomination. Fudge was confirmed 66-34 by the Senate.
Biden nominated Marcia Fudge, chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, as the secretary of Housing and Urban Development. Fudge served as a member of the House of Representative from Ohio from 2008 until her nomination. Fudge was confirmed 66-34 by the Senate.
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Pete Buttigieg was known as Mayor Pete from South Bend, Indiana. After being confirmed 86-13 by the Senate, Buttigieg now answers to Secretary Pete and oversees the transportation sector as the newest secretary of transportation. Buttigieg is the first openly gay Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
During the 2020 presidential campaign, Pete Buttigieg was known as Mayor Pete from South Bend, Indiana. After being confirmed 86-13 by the Senate, Buttigieg now answers to Secretary Pete and oversees the transportation sector as the newest secretary of transportation. Buttigieg is the first openly gay Cabinet secretary in U.S. history.
President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for an open vacancy on the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016. The Senate refused to hold a hearing on Garland's nomination and it failed. Five years later, Biden nominated Garland for attorney general of the United States. Garland was confirmed 70-30 by the Senate.
President Barack Obama nominated Judge Merrick Garland for an open vacancy on the Supreme Court following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016. The Senate refused to hold a hearing on Garland’s nomination and it failed. Five years later, Biden nominated Garland for attorney general of the United States. Garland was confirmed 70-30 by the Senate.
Biden's pick for secretary of agriculture was a play out of the Obama administration. Tom Vilsack was the former governor of Iowa when Obama nominated him as secretary of agriculture in 2008. After eight years serving as agriculture secretary for Obama, Vilsack is back under the Biden administration in the same position. Vilsack was confirmed 92-7 by the Senate.
Biden’s pick for secretary of agriculture was a play out of the Obama administration. Tom Vilsack was the former governor of Iowa when Obama nominated him as secretary of agriculture in 2008. After eight years serving as agriculture secretary for Obama, Vilsack is back under the Biden administration in the same position. Vilsack was confirmed 92-7 by the Senate.
Before being elected as the first female governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo co-founded the venture capital firm Point Judith Capital in 2000. Raimondo served as general treasurer of Rhode Island from 2011 to 2015 and as governor of Rhode Island from 2015 until her nomination for secretary of commerce. Rainmondo was confirmed 84-15 by the Senate.
Before being elected as the first female governor of Rhode Island, Gina Raimondo co-founded the venture capital firm Point Judith Capital in 2000. Raimondo served as general treasurer of Rhode Island from 2011 to 2015 and as governor of Rhode Island from 2015 until her nomination for secretary of commerce. Rainmondo was confirmed 84-15 by the Senate.
One of Biden's initiatives as president is the use of electric vehicles for a green economy and to combat climate change. To oversee these goals, Biden nominated former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm for secretary of energy. During Granholm's two terms as governor, she urged the federal government to provide assistance to the auto industry. Granholm has experience with the auto industry to help roll out an infrastructure for electric vehicles. Granholm was confirmed 64-35 by the Senate.
One of Biden’s initiatives as president is the use of electric vehicles for a green economy and to combat climate change. To oversee these goals, Biden nominated former Michigan governor Jennifer Granholm for secretary of energy. During Granholm’s two terms as governor, she urged the federal government to provide assistance to the auto industry. Granholm has experience with the auto industry to help roll out an infrastructure for electric vehicles. Granholm was confirmed 64-35 by the Senate.
Biden brings former educator Dr. Miguel Cardona into his administration as the next secretary of education. Cardona started as a fourth grade teacher and has served as education commissioner of Connecticut for the past year and a half. Cardona was confirmed 64-33 by the Senate.
Biden brings former educator Dr. Miguel Cardona into his administration as the next secretary of education. Cardona started as a fourth grade teacher and has served as education commissioner of Connecticut for the past year and a half. Cardona was confirmed 64-33 by the Senate.
Biden nominated Denis McDonough as the next secretary of veterans affairs even though he doesn't have military experience. McDough is only the second non-military veteran to lead the department of veterans affairs. McDonough does have experience working with Biden though. McDonough served as Obama's chief of staff and deputy national security advisor. McDonough was confirmed 87-7 by the Senate.
Biden nominated Denis McDonough as the next secretary of veterans affairs even though he doesn’t have military experience. McDough is only the second non-military veteran to lead the department of veterans affairs. McDonough does have experience working with Biden though. McDonough served as Obama’s chief of staff and deputy national security advisor. McDonough was confirmed 87-7 by the Senate.
The Department of Homeland Security had never had a Latino leader until the Biden administration nominated Alejandro Mayorkas for secretary of Homeland Security. Mayorkas, who previously served as deputy secretary at DHS under Obama, became the first foreign-born person to lead the department as well. Mayorkas was confirmed 56-43 by the Senate.
The Department of Homeland Security had never had a Latino leader until the Biden administration nominated Alejandro Mayorkas for secretary of Homeland Security. Mayorkas, who previously served as deputy secretary at DHS under Obama, became the first foreign-born person to lead the department as well. Mayorkas was confirmed 56-43 by the Senate.
Biden's pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency is Michael S. Regan, North Carolina's top environmental regulator. When the senate confirmed Regan as the next administrator of the EPA, he became the first Black person to lead the agency.
Biden’s pick to head the Environmental Protection Agency is Michael S. Regan, North Carolina’s top environmental regulator. When the senate confirmed Regan as the next administrator of the EPA, he became the first Black person to lead the agency.
Biden broke another gender barrier within the U.S. intelligence community by nominating Avril Haines as director of national intelligence. Haines becomes the high-ranking woman in the intelligence community and first female director of national intelligence. Haines was confirmed 84-10 by the Senate. Before being nominated for director of national intelligence, Haines served as deputy national security advisor and deputy CIA director under the Obama administration.
Biden broke another gender barrier within the U.S. intelligence community by nominating Avril Haines as director of national intelligence. Haines becomes the high-ranking woman in the intelligence community and first female director of national intelligence. Haines was confirmed 84-10 by the Senate. Before being nominated for director of national intelligence, Haines served as deputy national security advisor and deputy CIA director under the Obama administration.
Katherine Tai is the first Asian American woman and first woman of color to be the U.S. trade representative. The Senate confirmed Tai by a vote of 98-0. Tai worked as a trade lawyer for the House Ways and Means Committee before being nominated.
Katherine Tai is the first Asian American woman and first woman of color to be the U.S. trade representative. The Senate confirmed Tai by a vote of 98-0. Tai worked as a trade lawyer for the House Ways and Means Committee before being nominated.
Career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield was nominated for United States ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield served as ambassador to Liberia and assistant secretary of State for African Affairs during the Obama administration. Thomas-Greenfield was confirmed 78-20 by the Senate.
Career diplomat Linda Thomas-Greenfield was nominated for United States ambassador to the United Nations. Thomas-Greenfield served as ambassador to Liberia and assistant secretary of State for African Affairs during the Obama administration. Thomas-Greenfield was confirmed 78-20 by the Senate.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was selected by Biden to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Becerra spent 25 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Kamala Harris' position as California attorney general. Becerra was confirmed 50-49 by the Senate, the closest margin among any of Biden's cabinet nominations.
California Attorney General Xavier Becerra was selected by Biden to run the Department of Health and Human Services. Becerra spent 25 years as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding Kamala Harris’ position as California attorney general. Becerra was confirmed 50-49 by the Senate, the closest margin among any of Biden’s cabinet nominations.
Biden nominated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to be the next secretary of labor. Before Walsh was elected mayor in 2013, he was a state representative of Massachusetts and the union leader of the Boston Building Trades Union. Walsh was confirmed 68-29 by the Senate.
Biden nominated Boston Mayor Marty Walsh to be the next secretary of labor. Before Walsh was elected mayor in 2013, he was a state representative of Massachusetts and the union leader of the Boston Building Trades Union. Walsh was confirmed 68-29 by the Senate.
Isabel Guzman has previous experience within the Small Business Administration. Guzman was the deputy chief of staff at the SBA under Obama from 2014 to 2017. Before being nominated for her cabinet position, Guzman served as California's administrator of the Small Business Advocate. Guzman was confirmed 81-17 by the Senate.
Isabel Guzman has previous experience within the Small Business Administration. Guzman was the deputy chief of staff at the SBA under Obama from 2014 to 2017. Before being nominated for her cabinet position, Guzman served as California’s administrator of the Small Business Advocate. Guzman was confirmed 81-17 by the Senate.
The Senate confirmed Biden's nomination of Cecilia Rouse as the next chair of the Council of Economic Advisers by a vote 95-4. Rouse, the dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, is the first Black person to serve as the president's top economist. Biden won't be the first president Rouse has served. Rouse was a member of Obama's Council of Economic Advisers and worked for Bill Clinton's National Economic Council.
The Senate confirmed Biden’s nomination of Cecilia Rouse as the next chair of the Council of Economic Advisers by a vote 95-4. Rouse, the dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, is the first Black person to serve as the president’s top economist. Biden won’t be the first president Rouse has served. Rouse was a member of Obama’s Council of Economic Advisers and worked for Bill Clinton’s National Economic Council.
Biden's first choice for director of the Office of Management and Budget was Neera Tanden. Biden withdrew Tanden's nomination amid opposition from senators who cited her past comments about current lawmakers. Biden moved quickly to nominate Shalanda Young, a Democratic staff director for the House Appropriations Committee. The Senate voted 63-37 to confirm Young, who became the first Black woman to be the OMB director.
Biden’s first choice for director of the Office of Management and Budget was Neera Tanden. Biden withdrew Tanden’s nomination amid opposition from senators who cited her past comments about current lawmakers. Biden moved quickly to nominate Shalanda Young, a Democratic staff director for the House Appropriations Committee. The Senate voted 63-37 to confirm Young, who became the first Black woman to be the OMB director.
The Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as the next U.S. surgeon general, a position he held for four years during the Obama administration. Before his confirmation in Biden's administration, Murthy was a co-chair of the COVID-19 Advisory Board.
The Senate confirmed Dr. Vivek Murthy as the next U.S. surgeon general, a position he held for four years during the Obama administration. Before his confirmation in Biden’s administration, Murthy was a co-chair of the COVID-19 Advisory Board.
When the Senate voted 52-48 in favor of Dr. Rachel Leave's nomination as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, Levine became the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate. Before Levine's nomination, she was Pennsylvania's secretary of health.
When the Senate voted 52-48 in favor of Dr. Rachel Leave’s nomination as assistant secretary for health in the Department of Health and Human Services, Levine became the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the Senate. Before Levine’s nomination, she was Pennsylvania’s secretary of health.