Arizona Primaries Set High-Stakes Governor and House Battles Ahead of Midterm Elections 
Zelenskiy Says Ukraine-U.S. Drone Deal Includes American Factory for Advanced UAV Production 
EEOC Drops Penn Subpoena in Antisemitism Probe, Investigation Continues 
US Military Completes 13th Straight Night of Iran Strikes as Trump Warns of Further Action 
Amish Shah Wins Arizona Democratic Primary in Key U.S. House Race 
Russian Missile Strike on Kyiv Region Kills 10, Sparks Probe Into Defense Industry Event 
Canada Vows Trade Fight as Trump Imposes 50% Tariffs 
Iran Rejects U.S.-Backed Ceasefire as Trump Escalates Military Threats, Oil Tops $100 
UN Reappoints Volker Turk as Human Rights Chief Despite U.S., Russia, Israel Opposition 
Trump Orders Section 301 Probe Into EU Tech Fines, Signals New Tariffs 
Russian Bomb Strikes Hit Zaporizhzhia, Sloviansk, Injuring Dozens in Eastern Ukraine 
UN Rights Chief Volker Turk Faces Opposition Over Second Term Bid 
Trump Education Department Removes Disparate Impact Rules, Sparking Civil Rights Backlash 
Trump Praises Nigeria’s Tinubu, Signaling Stronger U.S.-Nigeria Security Ties 
Rubio Rejects AI ‘Kill Switch’ Claims as U.S. Defends American Technology Abroad 
Trump Threatens Iran With 'Major Military Punishment' as Red Sea Attacks Push Oil Above $100 
US-Mexico USMCA Talks Advance as Auto Rules Remain Major Sticking Point 
With both the House and the Senate now coming under the control of the Democratic party, it would make confirmation of Joe Biden’s Cabinet nominees much smoother. However, it may not be fast enough at the moment as Biden and his allies are pushing for Cabinet nominee confirmations to be done as soon as possible.
The confirmation of Biden’s Cabinet picks by the Senate appears to be behind schedule compared to his predecessors, whose nominees were confirmed by Inauguration Day. The president-elect’s transition team has commenced a messaging push to Republican Senators to already confirm Biden’s Cabinet nominees in key departments such as State, Homeland Security, and the Pentagon among others. People familiar with the matter noted that the lag could hinder the administration’s earliest efforts to tackle challenges in the economy, national security, and health.
This is getting a boost from Democrats in the Senate, especially from leader Chuck Schumer, who urged his colleagues to begin confirmations. Schumer cited the recent riots at the Capitol as well as the economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic as reasons why confirming nominees as soon as possible before the inauguration is important. The confirmation of Alejandro Mayorkas, who is Biden’s nominee for Homeland Security secretary, is being prioritized. Mayorkas’ hearing from the Senate was to take place on January 19.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged to give Biden the votes for his nominees but has not specified a timetable in carrying them out. However, as the Democratic party is to become the majority following the inauguration, the confirmation process may quicken. Another person familiar with the matter revealed that Biden is set to place acting agency heads once he takes office.
Meanwhile, the president-elect recently praised the bipartisan decision of the House of Representatives to impeach outgoing president Donald Trump following the riots. 10 Republican representatives, including GOP Conference Chair Liz Cheney, voted to impeach Trump, resulting in a 232-197 vote.
“Today the members of the House of Representatives exercised the power granted to them under our Constitution and voted to impeach and hold the president accountable,” said Biden in a statement this week. “It was a bipartisan vote cast by members who followed the Constitution and their conscience.”
