Tag Archives: Senate confirmation

The Senate has confirmed Antony Blinken, former deputy secretary of state during the Obama administration, to lead the State Department in a 78-22 vote on Tuesday, The New York Times reported. During his confirmation hearing, Blinken said he plans to review U.S. policy toward North Korea and take a tougher approach to Russia and China. 

The Senate voted 84-15 Monday to confirm Janet Yellen, former chair of the Federal Reserve, as secretary of the Department of the Treasury (USDT). Yellen’s confirmation made her the first woman to hold the top post at the Treasury. She is a labor economist who also served as vice chair of the Federal Reserve and chair of the Council of Economic Advisers during the Clinton administration. 

Maj. Gen. Robert Skinner has received Senate confirmation to lead the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) as director, succeeding Vice Adm. Nancy Norton. He will rank up to lieutenant general for the role through which he will lead efforts to protect the Department of Defense's (DoD) enterprise infrastructure and operate joint command-and-control functions.

The U.S. Senate has granted Mark Menezes, undersecretary of energy, the confirmation to serve as the Department of Energy's (DoE) deputy secretary. Menezes will undergo a swearing-in for his new role at a future date to be announced.

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed Gen. Charles Brown, commander of Pacific Air Forces, as chief of staff of the U.S. Air Force in a unanimous vote, the service reported Tuesday.

The U.S. Senate confirmed William Evanina, a national counterintelligence executive, as the National Counterintelligence and Security Center's director, Politico reported Wednesday.

The Senate voted 88-5 Tuesday to confirm Jovita Carranza, treasurer at the Department of the Treasury, as the new head of the Small Business Administration, The Hill reported Tuesday.

The Senate confirmed Dan Brouillette, acting secretary at the Department of Energy, to lead DOE on a full-time basis via a 70-15 bipartisan vote Tuesday.

Navy Vice Adm. Charles Richard, a former deputy commander at the U.S. Strategic Command, was confirmed by the Senate to serve as commander of Stratcom, Defense News reported Saturday. He will replace Air Force Gen. John Hyten, who will be vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

The Senate voted 85-7 Wednesday to confirm Barbara Barrett, former chairwoman of The Aerospace Corp., as the new secretary of the Air Force, the service branch reported.