Senate Dems press Trump’s nominees
They seek tax, financial data
WASHINGTON — Top Senate Democrats are trying to put the brakes on President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks, insisting on extensive financial information on some of the wealthiest Americans before moving forward on nominations.
Frustrated by the slow response of billionaires and multimillionaires to their request, 16 Democrats delivered an ultimatum Thursday, saying no committee should vote on a nominee until the individual has cleared an FBI background check, provided a financial report and an ethics agreement with the Office of Government Ethics, and responded to “reasonable requests for additional information” such as tax returns.
“The United States Senate has a rich, bipartisan tradition of vetting nominees to the president’s Cabinet,” said New York Sen. Chuck Schumer, the incoming Democratic leader. “We hope to continue that tradition with our colleagues in the Republican majority because the American people are entitled to a fair and open consideration process for all executive nominations.”
Republicans controlling the Senate, led by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, want to make quick work of Cabinet confirmations once Trump takes office on Jan. 20.
Democrats have limited options to block nominees outright; however, they could drag out the process in committee or force longer Senate debates than usual.
“President-elect Trump refused to release his tax returns and will start his presidency consumed by questions about how he could be using his position to enrich himself and his family, but that doesn’t mean that his nominees should be held to the same low standards,” said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash.
Sen. Bob Corker, the committee chairman, complained that Democrats are asking for disclosures not demanded of previous nominees, including wealthy people like Secretary of State John Kerry.
“This is being driven by the election,” Corker, R-Tenn., told The Associated Press. “The fact that Donald Trump did not provide tax returns is driving all that is being done.”