Article II, Section 2 of the U.S. Constitution provides that the President of the United States, “shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint…officers of the United States.” Once a nomination is received by the Senate, the Senate’s executive clerk, acting on behalf of the Senate’s presiding officer, refers the nomination to the appropriate Committee or Committees on the day it is received. Once the Senate Commerce Committee receives a nomination referral, nominees are asked to supply additional information and meet with Committee members and staff. After completing the vetting, nominees may be asked to testify at one or more official nomination hearings, and a vote expressing a positive recommendation from the Senate Committee or Committees of jurisdiction is generally required before a full Senate vote.
The Nominations Process
Committee Responsibilities
Under U.S. Senate rules, the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation has responsibility and jurisdiction for over 100 senior official posts that are subject to Senate confirmation, including the Secretary of Commerce and Secretary of Transportation, who serve as department heads and members of the president’s cabinet. In addition to these positions because the Senate Commerce Committee has jurisdiction over the U.S. Coast Guard it must also approve all promotions of officers. While the Committee still votes on Coast Guard officer promotions, with the exception of 56 flag officers (admirals), most Coast Guard officers are not asked to individually submit information and their positions are not listed in the matrix below.
Nomination Number: PN672
Received: May 30, 2023
Last Action: Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.
Nomination Number: PN674
Received: May 30, 2023
Last Action: Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.
Nomination Number: PN304
Received: Feb 13, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN482
Received: Mar 30, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN801
Received: Jul 11, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN800
Received: Jul 11, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN799
Received: Jul 11, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN673
Received: May 30, 2023
Last Action: Confirmed by the Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 55 - 43. Record Vote Number: 222.
Nomination Number: PN980
Received: Sep 7, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN978
Received: Sep 6, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN919
Received: Sep 5, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN948
Received: Sep 5, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN870
Received: Jul 25, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN441
Received: Mar 21, 2023
Last Action: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar No. 280. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
Nomination Number: PN667
Received: May 15, 2023
Last Action: Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.
Nomination Number: PN114
Received: Jan 23, 2023
Last Action: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar. Calendar No. 251. Subject to nominee's commitment to respond to requests to appear and testify before any duly constituted committee of the Senate.
Nomination Number: PN15
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN13
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN14
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. Hearings held.
Nomination Number: PN464
Received: Mar 27, 2023
Last Action: Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.
Nomination Number: PN440-1
Received: Mar 14, 2023
Last Action: Confirmed by the Senate by Voice Vote.
Nomination Number: PN8
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.
Nomination Number: PN9
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received message of withdrawal of nomination from the President.
Nomination Number: PN440-2
Received: Mar 14, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN384
Received: Mar 6, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN112
Received: Jan 23, 2023
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as requested by Senator Cruz.
Nomination Number: PN113
Received: Jan 23, 2023
Last Action: Referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation as requested by Senator Cruz.
Nomination Number: PN17
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN16
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN12
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN11
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
Nomination Number: PN10
Received: Jan 3, 2023
Last Action: Received in the Senate and referred to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation.
