Trump nominees Collins, Stefanik to face senate grilling as VA, UN picks; Bessent gets committee vote

Two more of President Trump’s nominees are set to face questions from senators on Tuesday, while a third nominee, Treasury candidate Scott Bessent, will undergo a committee vote.

Former Rep. Doug Collins, who is also an Air Force Reserve chaplain, is scheduled to testify before the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee in his bid to lead the Veterans Affairs Department. Additionally, Rep. Elise Stefanik from New York will be appearing before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee as President Trump’s pick for the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.

In the meantime, the Senate Finance Committee will meet at 10:15 a.m. to vote on the advancement of Bessent’s nomination as Treasury Secretary.

Collins will be the first potential cabinet official to undergo a hearing following President Trump’s busy first day in office. President Trump swiftly executed over 200 executive actions on Monday after declaring the start of a “Golden Age of America” in his inaugural address. However, it now falls upon the Senate to confirm the key officials who will carry out the president’s directives.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio became the first of President Trump’s cabinet picks to receive congressional approval with a unanimous Senate vote late Monday. Rubio’s confirmation was met with widespread support from both sides of the aisle due to his extensive foreign policy background as a longstanding member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Intelligence Committees.

Collins, a former congressman from Georgia and Navy veteran, is not anticipated to face a tough confirmation battle. As the potential VA secretary, he would be responsible for overseeing a healthcare and benefits system for veterans that has faced numerous challenges in the past, including long wait times, insufficient mental health support, and budget deficits.

An alarming report published by the VA in the previous month revealed over 6,400 veteran suicides in 2022, with the number slightly higher than in 2021. Ending veteran suicide has been a top priority for the Biden administration, with efforts resulting in a decrease in veteran homelessness to record lows. However, there are still over 32,000 former service members experiencing homelessness.

Under President Trump’s direction, the next VA secretary is expected to address diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives within the department, in addition to reversing Biden-era policies related to abortions and transgender medical procedures.

As the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee questions Collins, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee will evaluate Stefanik’s nomination to represent the U.S. at the U.N. Stefanik, the fourth-ranking Republican in the House, is likely to face inquiries regarding her limited foreign policy experience, strong support for Israel, and her stance on the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

In her opening statements, Stefanik is expected to highlight President Trump’s vision for the U.N. to focus on international peace and security, advocating for peace and avoiding new conflicts.

Stefanik is anticipated to secure confirmation for the U.N. position, with Senator John Fetterman already expressing his support for her nomination due to their shared pro-Israel stance. On the other hand, the Senate Finance Committee will determine whether to advance Bessent’s nomination as Treasury Secretary. Bessent, a Wall Street investor and hedge fund manager, emphasized the importance of extending President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts during his confirmation hearings.

Democrats questioned Bessent on the impact of Trump’s tax cuts on the federal deficit, the distribution of benefits among different income classes, and the potential inflationary effects of proposed tariffs on foreign imports. However, Bessent remained confident that the tariffs would not lead to increased inflation.

Bessent, hailing from South Carolina, stressed that President Trump’s policies would prioritize Main Street over Wall Street, aiming to enhance the economic well-being of the middle and working classes.

As the Senate continues to deliberate on these nominations, the confirmation of key officials will play a crucial role in executing President Trump’s policy agenda. The process underscores the important role that cabinet officials play in shaping the administration’s priorities and implementing its vision for the country.