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Cabinet of Barack Obama

February 04, 2023

Barack Obama assumed office as President of the United States on January 20, 2009, and his term ended on January 20, 2017. The president has the authority to nominate members of his Cabinet to the United States Senate for confirmation under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution.

Obama Cabinet

Cabinet of the United States
2009–2017
First Cabinet of President Barack Obama in the White House East Room, 2009
Date formedJanuary 20, 2009 (2009-01-20)
Date dissolvedJanuary 20, 2017 (2017-01-20)
People and organizations
PresidentBarack Obama
President's historyFormer U.S. Senator from Illinois
(2005–2008)
Vice PresidentJoe Biden
Member party  Democratic Party
Status in legislatureMajority government (2009–2011)
Divided government (2011–2017)
Opposition party  Republican Party
History
Election(s)2008 United States presidential election
2012 United States presidential election
Legislature term(s)111th United States Congress
112th United States Congress
113th United States Congress
114th United States Congress
115th United States Congress
Budget(s)2009 budget
2010 budget
2011 budget
2012 budget
2013 budget
2014 budget
2015 budget
2016 budget
Advice and consentUnited States Senate
PredecessorCabinet of George W. Bush
SuccessorCabinet of Donald Trump

Before confirmation and during congressional hearings a high-level career member of an executive department heads this pre-confirmed cabinet on an acting basis. The Cabinet's creation was part of the transition of power following the 2008 presidential election.

This page documents the nomination and confirmation process for cabinet nominees of Obama's administration. They are listed in order of creation of the cabinet position (also used as the basis for the presidential line of succession).

Cabinet

Cabinet officials on January 20, 2017

 
The Obama cabinet
OfficeNameTerm
PresidentBarack Obama2009–2017
Vice PresidentJoe Biden2009–2017
Secretary of StateHillary Clinton2009–2013
John Kerry2013–2017
Secretary of the TreasuryTimothy Geithner2009–2013
Jack Lew2013–2017
Secretary of DefenseRobert Gates*2006–2011
Leon Panetta2011–2013
Chuck Hagel2013–2015
Ash Carter2015–2017
Attorney GeneralEric Holder2009–2015
Loretta Lynch2015–2017
Secretary of the InteriorKen Salazar2009–2013
Sally Jewell2013–2017
Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsack2009–2017
Secretary of CommerceGary Locke2009–2011
John Bryson2011–2012
Penny Pritzker2013–2017
Secretary of LaborHilda Solis2009–2013
Tom Perez2013–2017
Secretary of Health and
Human Services		Kathleen Sebelius2009–2014
Sylvia Mathews Burwell2014–2017
Secretary of Housing and
Urban Development		Shaun Donovan2009–2014
Julian Castro2014–2017
Secretary of TransportationRay LaHood2009–2013
Anthony Foxx2013–2017
Secretary of EnergySteven Chu2009–2013
Ernest Moniz2013–2017
Secretary of EducationArne Duncan2009–2016
John King Jr.2016–2017
Secretary of Veterans AffairsEric Shinseki2009–2014
Bob McDonald2014–2017
Secretary of Homeland SecurityJanet Napolitano2009–2013
Jeh Johnson2013–2017
Administrator of the
Environmental Protection Agency		Lisa Jackson2009–2013
Gina McCarthy2013–2017
Director of the Office of
Management and Budget		Peter Orszag2009–2010
Jack Lew2010–2012
Sylvia Mathews Burwell2013–2014
Shaun Donovan2014–2017
United States Trade RepresentativeRon Kirk2009–2013
Michael Froman2013–2017
Ambassador to the United NationsSusan Rice2009–2013
Samantha Power2013–2017
Chair of the
Council of Economic Advisers		Christina Romer2009–2010
Austan Goolsbee2010–2011
Alan Krueger2011–2013
Jason Furman2013–2017
Administrator of the
Small Business Administration		Karen Mills**2009–2013
Maria Contreras-Sweet2014–2017
Chief of StaffRahm Emanuel2009–2010
William M. Daley2011–2012
Jack Lew2012–2013
Denis McDonough2013–2017
*Retained from previous administration
**Elevated to cabinet-level in January 2012
Cabinet of President Barack Obama
  Elected to office – all other cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the president
  No Senate consent needed

Source:[1]

Office

Date announced / confirmed

Designee Office

Date announced / confirmed

Designee
 
Vice President of the United States
Announced August 22, 2008
Elected November 4, 2008
Assumed office January 20, 2009 		 
Former U.S. Senator
Joe Biden
of Delaware 		 
Secretary of State
Announced December 21, 2012
Assumed office February 1, 2013 		 
Former U.S. Senator
John Kerry
of Massachusetts
 
Secretary of the Treasury
Announced January 10, 2013
Assumed office February 28, 2013 		 
Former White House Chief of Staff
Jack Lew
of New York 		 
Secretary of Defense
Announced December 5, 2014
Assumed office February 17, 2015 		 
Former Deputy Secretary of Defense
Ash Carter
of Pennsylvania
 
Attorney General
Announced November 8, 2014
Assumed office April 27, 2015 		 
Former United States Attorney
Loretta Lynch
of New York 		 
Secretary of the Interior
Announced February 6, 2013
Assumed office April 12, 2013 		 
Chief Executive Officer of REI
Sally Jewell
of Washington
 
Secretary of Agriculture
Announced December 17, 2008
Assumed office January 20, 2009 		 
Former Governor
Tom Vilsack
of Iowa 		 
Secretary of Commerce
Announced May 2, 2013
Assumed office June 26, 2013 		 
Billionaire Businesswoman
Penny Pritzker
of Illinois
 
Secretary of Labor
Announced March 18, 2013
Assumed office July 23, 2013 		 
Former Assistant Attorney General
Tom Perez
of Maryland 		 
Secretary of Health and Human Services
Announced April 11, 2014
Assumed office June 9, 2014 		 
Former Director of OMB
Sylvia Matthews Burwell
of West Virginia
 
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Announced May 22, 2014
Assumed office July 28, 2014 		 
Former Mayor of San Antonio
Julian Castro
of Texas 		 
Secretary of Transportation
Announced April 29, 2013
Assumed office July 2, 2013 		 
Former Mayor of Charlotte
Anthony Foxx
of Delaware
 
Secretary of Energy
Announced March 4, 2013
Assumed office May 21, 2013 		 
Former Under Secretary of Energy
Ernest Moniz
of Massachusetts 		 
Secretary of Education
Announced December 10, 2015
Assumed office September 14, 2016 		 
Acting Secretary of Education
John King, Jr.
of New York
 
Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Announced July 7, 2014
Assumed office July 30, 2014 		 
Chief Executive Officer P&G
Bob McDonald
of Ohio 		 
Secretary of Homeland Security
Announced October 18, 2013
Assumed office December 23, 2013 		 
Former General Counsel of D.O.D
Jeh Johnson
of New York

Cabinet-level officials

Office
Date announced / confirmed 		Designee Office
Date announced / confirmed 		Designee
 
White House Chief of Staff
Announced January 20, 2013
Assumed office January 20, 2013 		 
Former Deputy National Security Advisor
Denis McDonough
of Maryland 		 
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Announced March 4, 2013
Assumed office July 18, 2013 		 
Former Assistant Administrator for the EPA
Gina McCarthy
of Connecticut
 
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Announced May 22, 2014
Assumed office August 5, 2014 		 
Former Secretary of H.U.D.
Shaun Donovan
of New York 		 
United States Trade Representative
Announced May 2, 2013
Assumed office June 21, 2013 		 
Former Deputy National Security Advisor
Michael Froman
of Washington D.C.
 
United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Announced June 5, 2013
Assumed office August 5, 2013 		 
Former Special Assistant to the President
Samantha Power
of Washington D.C. 		 
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Announced June 10, 2013
Assumed office August 2, 2013 		 
Former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council
Jason Furman
of Massachusetts
 
Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Announced January 15, 2014
Assumed office April 7, 2014 		 
Former California Secretary of Business, Transportation and Housing Agency
Maria Contreras-Sweet
of California

Confirmation process

Jeh JohnsonJanet NapolitanoRobert McDonaldEric ShinsekiJohn King Jr.Arne DuncanErnest MonizSteven ChuAnthony FoxxRay LaHoodJulian CastroShaun DonovanSylvia BurwellKathleen SebeliusThomas PerezHilda SolisPenny PritzkerJohn BrysonGary LockeTom VilsackSally JewellKen SalazarLoretta LynchEric HolderAshton CarterChuck HagelLeon PanettaRobert GatesJack LewTimothy GeithnerJohn KerryHillary Clinton

Confirmation votes

For comparison,

See also: Elena Kagan Supreme Court nomination § Full Senate, and Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court nomination § Full Senate
¶ Confirmations before June 2009

The below is a list of confirmations that were approved through the Senate from January to May 2009, by a recorded roll-call vote, rather than by a voice vote.

State Senator Party
 Jan. 21
 
Hillary
Clinton
State
94–2		 Jan. 26
 
Timothy
Geithner
Treasury
60–34		 Feb. 2
 
Eric
Holder
Att'y-Gen.
75–21		 Feb. 24
 
Hilda
Solis
Labor
80–17		 March 18
 
Ron
Kirk
Trade
92–5		 April 28
 
Kathleen
Sebelius
Health
65–31		 May 7
 
Gil
Kerlikowske
Drug Policy
91-1
Hawaii Daniel Akaka D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Tennessee Lamar Alexander R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Wyoming John Barrasso R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
Montana Max Baucus D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Indiana Evan Bayh D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alaska Mark Begich D Yea Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea Yea
Colorado Michael Bennet D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Utah Robert Bennett R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
New Mexico Jeff Bingaman D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Missouri Kit Bond R Yea Not voting Yea Nay Nay Yea Not voting
California Barbara Boxer D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Ohio Sherrod Brown D Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kansas Sam Brownback R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kentucky Jim Bunning R Yea Nay Nay Nay Nay Nay Yea
North Carolina Richard Burr R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Illinois Roland Burris D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
West Virginia Robert Byrd D Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea Yea
Washington Maria Cantwell D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Maryland Ben Cardin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Delaware Tom Carper D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Pennsylvania Bob Casey D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Georgia Saxby Chambliss R Not voting Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Oklahoma Tom Coburn R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Nay
Mississippi Thad Cochran R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
Maine Susan Collins R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
North Dakota Kent Conrad D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Tennessee Bob Corker R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Texas John Cornyn R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Idaho Mike Crapo R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
South Carolina Jim DeMint R Nay Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Connecticut Chris Dodd D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
North Dakota Byron Dorgan D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Illinois Dick Durbin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting Yea Yea
Nevada John Ensign R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Wyoming Mike Enzi R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
Wisconsin Russ Feingold D Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
California Dianne Feinstein D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Minnesota Al Franken D — — — — — — —
New York Kirsten Gillibrand D — — Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
South Carolina Lindsey Graham R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Iowa Chuck Grassley R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
New Hampshire Judd Gregg R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
North Carolina Kay Hagan D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Iowa Tom Harkin D Yea Nay Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea
Utah Orrin Hatch R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
Oklahoma Jim Inhofe R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Hawaii Daniel Inouye D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Georgia Johnny Isakson R Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea
Nebraska Mike Johanns R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
South Dakota Tim Johnson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting
Delaware Ted Kaufman D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy D Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting
Massachusetts John Kerry D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Minnesota Amy Klobuchar D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Wisconsin Herb Kohl D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Arizona Jon Kyl R Yea Nay Yea Nay Yea Nay Yea
Louisiana Mary Landrieu D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting
Vermont Patrick Leahy D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Michigan Carl Levin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Connecticut Joe Lieberman Ind. D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Arkansas Blanche Lincoln D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Indiana Richard Lugar R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Florida Mel Martinez R Yea Nay Not voting Yea Yea Nay Yea
Arizona John McCain R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Missouri Claire McCaskill D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kentucky Mitch McConnell R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea
New Jersey Bob Menendez D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting
Oregon Jeff Merkley D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Maryland Barbara Mikulski D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alaska Lisa Murkowski R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay Yea
Washington Patty Murray D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Florida Bill Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Nebraska Ben Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Arkansas Mark Pryor D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Rhode Island Jack Reed D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Nevada Harry Reid D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Idaho Jim Risch R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Kansas Pat Roberts R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Yea Yea
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting Not voting
Vermont Bernie Sanders Ind. Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea Yea
New York Chuck Schumer D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alabama Jeff Sessions R Yea Nay Yea Nay Yea Not voting Yea
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alabama Richard Shelby R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Maine Olympia Snowe R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Pennsylvania Arlen Specter R→D Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Michigan Debbie Stabenow D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Montana Jon Tester D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
South Dakota John Thune R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Colorado Mark Udall D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
New Mexico Tom Udall D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Louisiana David Vitter R Nay Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Not voting
Ohio George Voinovich R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Virginia Mark Warner D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Virginia Jim Webb D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
Mississippi Roger Wicker R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Yea
Oregon Ron Wyden D Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea
  vote by party D
R
Ind.
— 		54–0
38–2
2–0
Clinton 		49–3
10–30
1–1
Geithner 		54–0
19–21
2–0
Holder 		54–0
24–17
2–0
Solis 		53–1
38–3
1–1
Kirk 		54–0
9–31
2–0
Sebelius 		52–0
37–1
2–0
Kerlikowske
Notes and Key : All dates are in 2009. For later votes, see the table below.
* Att'y-Gen. = Attorney-General of the United States;
* Trade = U.S. Trade Representative;
* Health = Secretary of Health and Human Services;
* Drug Policy = Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy — before confirmation, this post was removed from Cabinet-level status;
D = Democratic; R = Republican; Ind. = independent; Ind. D = independent Democratic ;
R→D = moved from Republican to Democratic caucus on April 29–30, 2009 ;
— = seat vacant at the time of this vote.
Sources: United States Senate; The Washington Post
¶ Confirmations after June 2009 (August 6, 2009 – December 8, 2011)
State Senator Party
 Jan. 28,
2010
 
Ben S.
Bernanke
Chairman
of Fed
70–30 		June 30,
2011
 
David
Petraeus
CIA
(6 NV)
94–0 		Oct. 20,
2011
 
John E.
Bryson
Sec. of
Commerce
74–26 		Dec. 8,
2011
 
Richard
Cordray
CFPB
(failed)
53–45
Hawaii Daniel Akaka D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Tennessee Lamar Alexander R Yea Yea Yea Nay
New Hampshire Kelly Ayotte R — Yea Yea Nay
Wyoming John Barrasso R Yea Yea Nay Nay
Montana Max Baucus D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Indiana Evan Bayh D Yea — — —
Alaska Mark Begich D Nay Yea Yea Yea
Colorado Michael Bennet D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Utah Robert Bennett R Yea — — —
New Mexico Jeff Bingaman D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Connecticut Richard Blumenthal D — Yea Yea Yea
Missouri Roy Blunt R — Yea Nay Nay
Missouri Kit Bond R Yea — — —
Arkansas John Boozman R — Yea Nay Nay
California Barbara Boxer D Nay Not Voting Yea Yea
Massachusetts Scott Brown R — Yea Yea Yea
Ohio Sherrod Brown D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kansas Sam Brownback R Nay — — —
Kentucky Jim Bunning R Nay — — —
North Carolina Richard Burr R Yea Not Voting Nay Nay
Illinois Roland Burris D Yea — — —
West Virginia Robert Byrd D Yea — — —
Washington Maria Cantwell D Nay Yea Yea Yea
Maryland Ben Cardin D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Delaware Tom Carper D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Pennsylvania Bob Casey D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Georgia Saxby Chambliss R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Indiana Dan Coats R — Yea Yea Nay
Oklahoma Tom Coburn R Yea Yea Nay Nay
Mississippi Thad Cochran R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Maine Susan Collins R Yea Yea Yea Nay
North Dakota Kent Conrad D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Delaware Chris Coons D — Yea Yea Yea
Tennessee Bob Corker R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Texas John Cornyn R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Idaho Mike Crapo R Nay Yea Nay Nay
South Carolina Jim DeMint R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Connecticut Chris Dodd D Yea — — —
North Dakota Byron Dorgan D Nay — — —
Illinois Dick Durbin D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Nevada John Ensign R Nay — — —
Wyoming Mike Enzi R Yea Yea Nay Nay
Wisconsin Russ Feingold D Nay — — —
California Dianne Feinstein D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Minnesota Al Franken D Nay Yea Yea Yea
New York Kirsten Gillibrand D Yea Yea Yea Yea
West Virginia Carte Goodwin D — — — —
South Carolina Lindsey Graham R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Iowa Chuck Grassley R Nay Yea Nay Nay
New Hampshire Judd Gregg R Yea — — —
North Carolina Kay Hagan D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Iowa Tom Harkin D Nay Yea Yea Yea
Utah Orrin Hatch R Yea Yea Nay Nay
Nevada Dean Heller R — Yea Nay Nay
North Dakota John Hoeven R — Yea Nay Nay
Texas Kay Bailey Hutchison R Nay Yea Yea Nay
Oklahoma Jim Inhofe R Nay Not Voting Nay Nay
Hawaii Daniel Inouye D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Georgia Johnny Isakson R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Nebraska Mike Johanns R Yea Yea Yea Nay
South Dakota Tim Johnson D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Wisconsin Ron Johnson R — Yea Nay Nay
Delaware Ted Kaufman D Nay — — —
Massachusetts Ted Kennedy D — — — —
Massachusetts John Kerry D Yea Yea Yea Not Voting
Massachusetts Paul Kirk D Yea — — —
Illinois Mark Kirk R — Yea Yea Nay
Minnesota Amy Klobuchar D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Wisconsin Herb Kohl D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Arizona Jon Kyl R Yea Yea Nay Nay
Louisiana Mary Landrieu D Yea Yea Yea Yea
New Jersey Frank Lautenberg D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Vermont Patrick Leahy D Yea Not Voting Yea Yea
Utah Mike Lee R — Yea Nay Nay
Florida George LeMieux R Nay — — —
Michigan Carl Levin D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Connecticut Joe Lieberman Ind. D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Arkansas Blanche Lincoln D Yea — — —
Indiana Richard Lugar R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Florida Mel Martinez R — — — —
Arizona John McCain R Nay Yea Yea Nay
Missouri Claire McCaskill D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kentucky Mitch McConnell R Yea Yea Nay Nay
New Jersey Bob Menendez D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Oregon Jeff Merkley D Nay Yea Yea Yea
Maryland Barbara Mikulski D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kansas Jerry Moran R — Not Voting Yea Nay
Alaska Lisa Murkowski R Yea Yea Yea Nay
Washington Patty Murray D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Florida Bill Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Nebraska Ben Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Kentucky Rand Paul R — Yea Nay Nay
Ohio Rob Portman R — Yea Yea Nay
Arkansas Mark Pryor D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Rhode Island Jack Reed D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Nevada Harry Reid D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Idaho Jim Risch R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Kansas Pat Roberts R Nay Yea Nay Nay
West Virginia Jay Rockefeller D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Florida Marco Rubio R — Yea Nay Nay
Vermont Bernie Sanders Ind. Nay Yea Yea Yea
New York Chuck Schumer D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alabama Jeff Sessions R Nay Yea Nay Nay
New Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Alabama Richard Shelby R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Maine Olympia Snowe R Yea Yea Yea Present
Pennsylvania Arlen Specter D Nay — — —
Michigan Debbie Stabenow D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Montana Jon Tester D Yea Yea Yea Yea
South Dakota John Thune R Nay Yea Yea Nay
Pennsylvania Pat Toomey R — Yea Yea Nay
Colorado Mark Udall D Yea Yea Yea Yea
New Mexico Tom Udall D Yea Not Voting Yea Yea
Louisiana David Vitter R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Ohio George Voinovich R Yea — — —
Virginia Mark Warner D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Virginia Jim Webb D Yea Yea Yea Yea
Rhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse D Nay Yea Yea Yea
Mississippi Roger Wicker R Nay Yea Nay Nay
Oregon Ron Wyden D Yea Yea Yea Yea
  session &
roll call		   111th (2nd)
16		 112th (1st)
104		 112th (1st)
176		 112th (1st)
223
  vote by party D
R
Ind.
 		 47–11
22–18
1–1
Bernanke		 48–0 (3 NV)
44–0 (3 NV)
2–0
Petraeus		 51–0 
21–26
2–0
Bryson		 50–0 (1 NV)
1–45 (1 Pres)
2–0
Cordray
Notes:
(failed) = Roll call was for cloture of debate on Cordray's nomination (ending filibusters), requiring a three-fifths vote;
Chairman of Fed = Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of Governors
CIA = Director of the Central Intelligence Agency; CFPB = Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
D = Democratic; R = Republican; Ind. = independent; Ind. D = independent Democratic ;
— = not a Senator during this vote; NV = Not Voting; Pres = Present
Sources:
United States Senate: 2009; 2010; 2011;
The Washington Post: 2009; 2010; 2011

Elected officials

President

On November 4, 2008, it was announced that Democrat Barack Obama defeated Senator John McCain, in the 2008 presidential election. Barack Obama received 365 electoral votes compared to McCain's 173 electoral votes, with 270 needed to win the presidency. He assumed office on January 20, 2009.

President of the United States
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
  Barack Obama August 4, 1961 [2]

Vice President

Main article: 2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection
 
Wikinews has related news:
  • US candidate Barack Obama announces Joe Biden as his running mate via text message

The vice president is an elected official rather than an appointed position, and therefore does not require confirmation by the Senate.

Vice President of the United States
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
  Joe Biden November 20, 1942 [3]
 
Vice President-elect Joe Biden with Vice President Dick Cheney at Number One Observatory Circle, November 13, 2008
 
From left: Vice President Joe Biden, President Obama, Budget Director Peter Orszag and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office, January 2009

Since shortly following Biden's withdrawal from the presidential race, Obama had been privately telling Biden that he was interested in finding an important place for him in a possible Obama administration.[4] In a June 22, 2008, interview on NBC's Meet the Press, Biden confirmed that, although he was not actively seeking a spot on the ticket, he would accept the vice presidential nomination if offered.[5] In early August, Obama and Biden met in secret to discuss a possible vice-presidential relationship.[4] On August 22, 2008, Barack Obama announced that Biden would be his running mate.[6][7] The New York Times reported that the strategy behind the choice reflected a desire to fill out the ticket with someone who has foreign policy and national security experience—and not to help the ticket win a swing state or to emphasize Obama's "change" message.[8] Other observers pointed out Biden's appeal to middle-class and blue-collar voters, as well as his willingness to aggressively challenge Republican nominee John McCain in a way that Obama seemed uncomfortable doing at times.[9] In accepting Obama's offer, Biden ruled out to him the possibility of running for president again in 2016.[4]

On November 4, 2008, Obama was elected president and Biden vice president of the United States.[10] The Obama-Biden ticket won 365 electoral college votes to McCain-Palin's 173,[11] and had a 53–46 percent edge in the nationwide popular vote.[12] Biden became the 47th Vice President of the United States on January 20, 2009, when he was inaugurated alongside President Barack Obama. He succeeded Dick Cheney. Biden is the first United States Vice President from Delaware[13] and the first Roman Catholic to attain that office.[14] Biden's oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens.[15] As the presidential transition of Barack Obama began, Biden said he was in daily meetings with Obama and that McCain was still his friend.[16] The U.S. Secret Service codename given to Biden is "Celtic", referencing his Irish roots.[17]

Biden chose veteran Democratic lawyer and aide Ron Klain to be his vice-presidential chief of staff,[18] and Time Washington bureau chief Jay Carney to be his director of communications.[19] Biden intended to eliminate some of the explicit roles assumed by the vice presidency of Cheney.[20] But otherwise, Biden said he would not model his vice presidency on any of the ones before him, but instead would seek to provide advice and counsel on every critical decision Obama would make.[21] Biden said he had been closely involved in all the cabinet appointments that were made during the transition.[21] Biden was also named to head the new White House Task Force on Working Families, an initiative aimed at improving the economic well-being of the middle class.[22]

Nominated candidates for Cabinet positions

The following cabinet positions are listed in order of their creation (also used as the basis for the United States presidential line of succession).

Secretary of State

The Secretary of State designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.

Hillary Clinton (2009–2013)

 
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Hillary Clinton

Hillary Clinton assumed the office of Secretary of State on January 21, 2009. In mid-November 2008, President-elect Obama and Clinton discussed the possibility of her serving as U.S. Secretary of State in his administration,[23] along with rumored nominees such as Bill Richardson, John Kerry, Sam Nunn and Chuck Hagel[24] and on November 21, reports indicated that she had accepted the position.[25] Clinton was floated in emails by Obama transition officials as a possible secretary of health and human services.[26] On December 1, President-elect Obama formally announced that Clinton would be his nominee for Secretary of State.[27] Clinton said she was reluctant to leave the Senate, but that the new position represented a "difficult and exciting adventure".[27] The appointment required a Saxbe fix, as Clinton was then a member of the United States Senate.[28] As part of the nomination, Clinton's husband, former president Bill Clinton, agreed to accept a number of conditions and restrictions regarding his ongoing activities and fundraising efforts for the Clinton Presidential Center and Clinton Global Initiative.[29]

Confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee began on January 13, 2009, a week before the Obama inauguration; two days later, the committee voted 16–1 to approve Clinton.[30] By this time, Clinton's public approval rating had reached 65 percent, the highest point since the Lewinsky scandal.[31] On January 21, 2009, Clinton was confirmed in the full Senate by a roll call vote of 94–2.[32] Clinton took the oath of office of Secretary of State and resigned from the Senate the same day.[33]

Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry stated that he expected Clinton to face some tough questions, but thought she was going to do a good job at (being Secretary of State).[34] Christopher Hitchens of Vanity Fair called her nomination a ludicrous embarrassment on the edition of November 18, 2008, of Hardball due to the Clintons' overseas connections, her actions during the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary.[35] Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) voted against a unanimous voice approval, citing ethical concerns. He sought not to block the nomination through a filibuster, but to voice his opposition to her policies.[36] Senator David Vitter (R-Louisiana) also voted against Clinton in Committee citing her husband's foreign donations for his non-profit entities.[37]

John Kerry (2013–2017)

 
John Kerry

Hillary Clinton had announced she would not stay on in a second Obama term. Obama nominated Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts as his Secretary of State. On January 29, 2013, John Kerry was confirmed by the Senate in a 94–3 vote to be Secretary of State.[38] John Kerry took office on February 1, 2013.

Secretary of the Treasury

 
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The Secretary of the Treasury is reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee.

Tim Geithner (2009–2013)

 
Tim Geithner

At the end of November 2008, President-elect Obama announced his intention to nominate Timothy Geithner, President of the New York Federal Reserve Bank, to be United States Secretary of the Treasury, replacing Henry Paulson.[39][40] Geithner believed, along with Paulson, that the United States Department of the Treasury needed new authority to experiment with responses to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.[citation needed]

In a written statement, Geithner said that China is manipulating the Renminbi by purposefully keeping its value low in order to make its exported products seem cheaper on the world market.[41] If confirmed, Geither said to the Senate Finance Committee that he would ask the Obama administration to pressure China diplomatically to change this practice,[41] more strongly than the Bush administration did.[42] The United States maintains that China's actions hurt American businesses and contributed to the financial crisis of 2007–2008.[43]

At the Senate confirmation hearings, it was revealed through documentary evidence that Geithner had not paid $35,000 self-employment taxes for several years,[44] even though he had acknowledged his obligation to do so, and had filed a request for, and received, a payment for half the taxes owed. The failure to pay self-employment taxes was noted during a 2006 audit by the Internal Revenue Service, in which Geithner was assessed additional taxes of $14,847 for the 2003 and 2004 tax years.

Geithner failed to pay, or to admit his failure to pay, the self-employment taxes for the 2001 and 2002 tax years until after President-elect Obama expressed his intent to nominate Geithner to be Secretary of Treasury.[45] He also deducted the cost of his children's sleep-away camp as a dependent care expense, when only expenses for day care are eligible for the deduction.[46] Geithner subsequently paid the IRS the additional taxes owed,[47] and was charged interest of $15,000, but was not fined for late payment.[48] In addition, his housekeeper's work authorization lapsed during the last three months she worked for him.[49]

Geithner's employer at the time, the International Monetary Fund, gives its American employees the employer's half of the payroll taxes, expecting that the employees will deposit the money with the Internal Revenue Service.[50] A report from the Senate Finance Committee documented Geithner's errors.[51] While working for IMF, Geithner signed a tax worksheet stating his "obligation of the U.S. Social Security tax, which I will pay on my fund income"[51] and another annual worksheet stating "I wish to apply for tax allowance of U.S. federal and state income taxes and the difference between the 'self-employed' and 'employed' obligation of the U.S. Social Security tax which I will pay on my Fund income."[52]

In a statement to the Senate panel considering his nomination, Geithner called the tax issues "careless", "avoidable", and "unintentional" errors, and he said he wanted to "apologize to the committee for putting you in the position of having to spend so much time on these issues."[47] Geithner testified that he used TurboTax to prepare his own return and that the tax errors are his own responsibility.[53] The Washington Post quoted a tax expert who said that TurboTax has not been programmed to handle self-employment taxes when the user identifies himself as being employed.[54] Geithner said at the hearing that he was always under the impression that he was an employee, not a self-employed contractor,[54] while he served as director of the Policy Development and Review Department of IMF.[55]

Commentator Michelle Malkin posted on her web site, "IRS employment application packets notify potential workers that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration vets all candidates and current employees 'who have violated or are violating laws, rules, or regulations related to the performance of their duties.' President-elect Obama is standing by a nominee who would oversee the IRS, but might not even qualify for a lesser job at the agency."[56] Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, who also opposes his nomination said, "The IRS did not fine him. Ask small businesses how many of them think they could avoid paying self-employment Social Security and Medicare taxes for seven years and not be fined."[48] "Had he not been nominated for Treasury Secretary it's doubtful that he would have ever paid these taxes," Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supported Geithner's nomination, calling him "very, very competent" and "the right guy" for Secretary of the Treasury.[57]

On January 26, 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed Geithner's appointment by a vote of 60–34.[58][59] Geithner was sworn in as Treasury Secretary by Vice President Joe Biden and witnessed by President Obama.[60] Geithner left the administration at the end of January 25, 2013.[61][62]

Jack Lew (2013–2017)

 
Jack Lew

On January 10, 2013, Jacob Lew, then the President's Chief of Staff was nominated as the replacement for retiring Treasury Secretary Geithner, to serve in President Obama's second term.[63] Lew's nomination was confirmed by the full Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, by a vote of 71 to 26.[64][65] At the White House on the next day (Thursday, February 28), Vice President Joe Biden swore in Lew as the 76th Secretary of the Treasury.[66][67]

Secretary of Defense

The Secretary of Defense designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the Senate Armed Services Committee.

Robert Gates (2006–2011)

 
Robert Gates

Robert Gates assumed the office of Secretary of Defense on December 18, 2006, under his predecessor then-President George W. Bush. The retention of Gates fulfilled Obama's pledge made on the campaign trail to have a Republican in his Cabinet.[68]

On December 1, 2008, President-elect Obama announced that Robert Gates would remain in his position as Secretary of Defense during his administration,[69] reportedly for at least the first year of Obama's presidency.[70]

Gates is the fourteenth Cabinet member in history to serve under two Presidents of different parties. One of the first priorities under President Barack Obama's administration for Gates was a review of U.S. policy and strategy in Afghanistan.[71] Gates, sixth in the presidential line of succession, was selected as designated survivor during Obama's inauguration.[72]

Leon Panetta (2011–2013)

 
Leon Panetta

On April 18, 2011, Leon Panetta, the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, was nominated to replace Gates. On June 21, 2011, the United States Senate confirmed Panetta in a 100–0 vote.[73] He took office on June 30, 2011.

Chuck Hagel (2013–2015)

 
Chuck Hagel

Obama nominated former Senator Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to succeed Leon Panetta and serve as his second term Secretary of Defense on January 7, 2013.[74] U.S. Senate nomination hearings begin on January 31, 2013.[75] On Tuesday, February 26, 2013, after debate in the full Senate had been closed by a vote of 71 to 27, Hagel's nomination was confirmed 58–41 (1 not voting). All the negative votes on each roll call came from Republican Senators, while 18 Republicans voted for cloture of debate and 4 for final confirmation.[76][77][78] He took office on February 27, 2013.

On November 24, 2014, The New York Times reported that Hagel would be resigning from his position as Secretary of Defense under pressure from the Obama administration.[79] Later that day, President Obama announced Hagel's resignation and thanked him for his service.[80] Hagel said in a statement, "You should know I did not make this decision lightly. But after much discussion, the President and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon."[81][82][83] Hagel stayed on until the confirmation of his successor.

Ash Carter (2015–2017)

 
Ash Carter

On December 5, 2014, President Obama nominated former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter as his fourth Secretary of Defense.[84] On February 12, 2015, the Senate confirmed Carter in a 93–5 vote.[85]

Attorney General

The confirmation of the office of Attorney General is overseen by the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Eric Holder (2009–2015)

 
Eric Holder

On December 1, 2008, Obama announced that Eric Holder would be his nominee for Attorney General.[69][86] Holder was formally nominated on January 20, 2009,[87] and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28.[88] Following his confirmation by the full Senate by a 75–21 vote on February 2, 2009, he became the first African-American Attorney General of the United States.[89][90]

In late 2007, Holder joined then-United States Senator Barack Obama's presidential campaign as a senior legal advisor. He served on Obama's vice presidential selection committee.

Holder favors closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp,[91] although he has said that the detainees are not technically entitled to Geneva convention protections.[92] He is opposed to the Bush administration's implementation of the Patriot Act, saying it is "bad ultimately for law enforcement and will cost us the support of the American people."[93][94] He has been critical of US torture policy and the NSA warrantless surveillance program, accusing the Bush administration of a "disrespect for the rule of law... [that is] not only wrong, it is destructive in our struggle against terrorism."[95]

During his confirmation hearings in the Senate, Holder agreed with Senator Patrick Leahy, Democrat of Vermont, that a technique used by U.S. interrogators under the Bush administration known as waterboarding is torture.[96]

On September 25, 2014, Holder announced that he would resign his post upon confirmation of a successor.[97]

Loretta Lynch (2015–2017)

 
Loretta Lynch

On November 8, 2014, President Barack Obama nominated U.S. Attorney Loretta Lynch to succeed Eric Holder as the next Attorney General of the United States.[98] After a contentious nomination process, the Senate confirmed Lynch on April 23, 2015, in a 56–43 vote.[99]

Secretary of the Interior

The nomination of the Secretary of the Interior is presented to the full senate by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Ken Salazar (2009–2013)

 
Ken Salazar

Ken Salazar assumed the office of Secretary of the Interior on January 21, 2009, after a unanimous voice vote on the floor of the full Senate. Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter appointed Denver Superintendent of Schools Michael Bennet to replace Salazar and to finish his term in the Senate, which expired in January 2011. Bennet was elected to a full term in 2010.

Salazar was nominated as Secretary of the Interior on December 19, 2008.[100] His appointment required a Saxbe fix by Congress.[101] On January 7, 2009, Congress approved a bill, S.J.Res. 3; President Bush signed it into law, providing such a fix by reducing the Secretary of Interior's salary to the level it was prior to the time Salazar took office in January 2009.

The Senate confirmed Salazar's nomination by voice vote on January 20, 2009, shortly after the swearing in of President Obama.[102] As Secretary of the Interior, Salazar is in charge of the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the United States Geological Survey, and other federal agencies overseen by the Interior Department.

Salazar was one of two Hispanics in the Cabinet, along with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis of California. (There were three, but on January 4, 2009, Democratic New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name from the appointment of Secretary of Commerce). Salazar is the second Hispanic Interior Secretary after Manuel Lujan Jr., who held the post from 1989 to 1993 under President George H. W. Bush.

Several prominent environmentalist groups are wary of Salazar, noting his strong ties with the coal and mining industries. Kieran Suckling, executive director of Center for Biological Diversity, which tracks endangered species and habitat issues states "He [Ken Salazar] is a right-of-center Democrat who often favors industry and big agriculture in battles over global warming, fuel efficiency and endangered species."[103]

The nomination was praised, however, by Gene Karpinski, President of the League of Conservation Voters. Upon the nomination, Karpinski said, "Throughout his career, Senator Salazar has campaigned on a pledge of support for 'our land, our water, our people.' With a perfect 100% score on the 2008 LCV Scorecard, he has lived up to that pledge. As a westerner, Senator Salazar has hands on experience with land and water issues, and will restore the Department of the Interior's role as the steward of America's public resources. We look forward to working with him to protect the health of America's land, water, and people in the coming years."[104]

Although Senate Republicans were expected to raise questions concerning Salazar's stances on oil shale development and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas,[105] Salazar was one of several Obama Cabinet appointees confirmed in the Senate by voice vote on January 20, 2009, shortly after Obama's inauguration. Salazar became the 50th Secretary of the Interior succeeding Dirk Kempthorne, who praised Salazar's appointment.[106]

On January 23, 2009, Salazar has stated that he is considering reopening the Statue of Liberty's crown to tourists. The crown has been closed to the public since the September 11 attacks. "I hope we can find a way," Salazar said in a statement. "It would proclaim to the world—both figuratively and literally—that the path to the light of liberty is open to all."[107]

Sally Jewell (2013–2017)

 
Sally Jewell

On January 16, 2013, it was reported that Salazar would be leaving his post as Secretary of the Interior in March 2013.[108][109][110] On February 6, 2013, President Obama nominated the CEO of REI, Sally Jewell, as Secretary of the Interior.[111] The Senate confirmed Jewell's nomination by an 87–11 vote on April 10, 2013.[112]

Secretary of Agriculture

The nomination of the Secretary of Agriculture is brought to the full Senate by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee. Tom Vilsack assumed the office of Secretary of Agriculture on January 21, 2009, after a unanimous voice vote of the whole Senate.

Tom Vilsack (2009–2017)

 
Tom Vilsack

On December 17, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama announced his choice of Vilsack as the nominee to be the next Secretary of Agriculture.[113] Vilsack has governed a farm state (Iowa) as did the previous two Secretaries of Agriculture, Senator Mike Johanns (2005–2007) and Ed Schafer (2007–2009). Reaction to Vilsack's nomination from agricultural groups was largely positive and included endorsements from the Corn Refiners Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, the National Farmers Union, the American Farm Bureau Federation, and the Environmental Defense Fund.[114] Opposition to the nomination came those who believed Vilsack has a preference for large industrial farms and genetically modified crops;[115] as Iowa state governor, he originated the seed pre-emption bill in 2005, effectively blocking local communities from regulating where genetically engineered crops would be grown; additionally, Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Partnership, and was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization, an industry lobbying group.[116] The Senate confirmed Vilsack's nomination for the position by unanimous consent on January 20, 2009.[117]

Secretary of Commerce

 
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The nomination of the Secretary of Commerce is brought to the full Senate by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Failed nomination of Bill Richardson (2009)

See also: Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States

Bill Richardson was nominated for the position of Secretary of Commerce on December 3, 2008.[118] Nevertheless, due to federal investigation into some of his political donors, he withdrew himself from the nomination on January 4, 2009.[118]

Failed nomination of Judd Gregg (2009)

On February 3, 2009, President Obama nominated New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg, a Republican. The nomination initially drew criticism, as it would likely give the Democrats in the Senate a super-majority, assuming Al Franken would be seated from Minnesota (as he eventually was) and the two independents regularly voted with the Democrats.[119] Republican Senator Gregg would have been replaced by someone chosen by the state's Governor John Lynch, a Democrat.

Initially, Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he would prevent an attempt to achieve a super majority by the President. After talks, President Obama as well as Senator Gregg assured that it would not be used as an attempt to change the makeup of the Senate.[120]

On February 12, Senator Gregg announced that he had withdrawn from nomination, citing his fundamental disagreement with the Obama administration on "issues such as the stimulus package and the Census."[121]

Gary Locke (2009–2011)

 
Gary Locke

Former Washington Governor Gary Locke was designated as the third Commerce nominee, multiple media outlets reported on February 23, 2009. An official announcement was made at a press conference with Locke and President Obama.[122] After confirmation by a voice vote on March 24,[123] Locke became the first Chinese American Secretary of Commerce, and the third Asian American in Obama's cabinet, joining Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki, the most of any administration in United States history.

John Bryson (2011–2012)

 
John Bryson

In May 2011, Obama appointed Locke as the new U.S. ambassador to China and nominated John Bryson as the next Secretary of Commerce.[124] Citing Bryson's environmental views, U.S. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Oklahoma) put a hold on his nomination in July.[125] The Senate confirmed Bryson as Secretary of Commerce by a 74–26 vote on October 20, 2011.[73] He was sworn in on October 21, 2011. Bryson took a leave of absence in June 2012 for medical tests due to seizures that were related to a hit and run. On June 21, 2012, Bryson resigned because, "the work that [Commerce employees] do to help America's entrepreneurs and businesses build our economy and create jobs is more important now than ever and I have come to the conclusion that I need to step down to prevent distractions from this critical mission."[126] Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank served as Acting Secretary of Commerce without Senate confirmation following Bryson's resignation in June 2012 until Penny Pritzker's confirmation in June 2013.

Penny Pritzker (2013–2017)

 
Penny Pritzker

On May 2, 2013, President Obama announced the nomination of hotel magnate Penny Pritzker as Secretary of Commerce.[127] On June 10, 2013, the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Pritzker's nomination.[128] On June 25, 2013, Pritzker was confirmed by the full Senate by a vote of 97 to 1.[129]

Secretary of Labor

The Secretary of Labor is confirmed through the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.

Hilda Solis (2009–2013)

 
Solis speaks at the announcement of her being chosen as the new Secretary of Labor; President-elect Barack Obama looks on, as does U.S. Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk.

Hilda Solis assumed office as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009, when she was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 80–17, although her confirmation hearings had been stalled due to Republican concerns over her support of the Employee Free Choice Act and her desire to reverse the Bush Administration's policies to the H-2A Guest Worker Act[130] and tax problems with her husband.[131] On February 11, 2009, Solis's nomination passed the committee phase.[132]

On December 18, 2008, sources close to the Obama transition team identified Solis as the President-elect's choice for U.S. Secretary of Labor, the last cabinet position yet to be filled.[133][134]

The selection earned praise from the AFL–CIO and other labor organizations, but it brought dismay from business and anti-labor groups.[134][135] The official announcement was made by Obama on December 19.[136] Her appointment required a Saxbe fix.[137] Due to her confirmation, Solis's successor, Judy Chu was chosen in a special election in California's 32nd congressional district; she declined to endorse any particular replacement candidate.[138]

Solis's confirmation hearings were held on January 9, 2009, before the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.[139] Committee chair Ted Kennedy repeatedly praised her, while despite some prodding from Republican members, Solis declined to discuss specific policy issues including the Employee Free Choice Act.[139] Several days later, Senate Republicans said they might try to put a procedural hold on her nomination, out of frustration with her unwillingness to answer questions during the hearings.[140]

Committee Republican Mike Enzi also pressed her on whether her unpaid but high-level positions at American Rights at Work constituted a prohibited lobbying activity; she said she had done no lobbying and was in violation of no rules of conduct.[141] Solis did acknowledge that she had failed to report those positions on her annual House financial disclosure forms at the time, which the White House said was an unintentional oversight.[141] After more time passed with no motion on her nomination, Obama appointed veteran Labor Department official Edward C. Hugler as Acting Secretary.[142]

The prolonged process was seen as foreshadowing continued battles between the Obama administration and Republicans over labor issues.[142] Solis's confirmation process was then set to for a committee vote on February 5, but was postponed again after news that Solis' husband Sam Sayyad had just paid $6,400 in outstanding state and local tax liens for his auto repair business going back to 1993.[131][143] Sayyad was sole proprietor of the business, filed a separate tax return from Solis, and intended to contest the lien as they were for business taxes he thought he had already paid.[131][144][145]

The White House said Solis should not be penalized for any mistakes that her husband may have made.[131] The revelations came in the wake of several other Obama nominations troubled or derailed due to tax issues.[131] Committee Republicans subsequently indicated they would not hold Solis to blame for the taxes situation, but were still concerned about her ties to American Rights at Work.[144] On February 11, 2009, the committee finally supported her nomination by voice vote with two dissensions.[146]

Thomas Perez (2013–2017)

On January 9, 2013, Hilda Solis announced she would not stay on for Obama's second term and that she was resigning.[147] On March 18, 2013, President Obama nominated assistant U.S. Attorney General Thomas Perez for labor secretary.[148]

Republicans opposed the nomination because they saw him as a "committed ideologue". On May 16, 2013, Perez's nomination was endorsed by the committee along party lines. The vote sent the nomination to the Senate floor.[149][150]

On July 18, 2013, Perez was confirmed as labor secretary after senators reached a deal to avert changing the chamber's rules with his nomination getting 60 votes to break the filibuster. The Senate ultimately confirmed Perez on a party-line vote, 54–46.[151]

Secretary of Health and Human Services

 
Kathleen Sebelius speaks after her nomination to be HHS Secretary.

The nomination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services is brought to the full Senate by the Senate Finance Committee, though the nominee also historically meets with the United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

Failed nomination of Tom Daschle (2009)

Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was President Obama's first nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle was paid $220,000 in speaking fees to Healthcare providers, and was paid $16 million as an advisor to Healthcare lobbying groups in the time between his departure from the US Senate and his nomination.[152] Daschle pulled his name from nomination on February 3, 2009.[153]

Kathleen Sebelius (2009–2014)

On March 2, 2009, President Barack Obama introduced Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as his choice to fill the office of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 28, 2009, on a vote of 65–31[154] amid the swine flu health crisis.

In April 2013, after the rocky start of HealthCare.gov, the website set up to enroll Americans in insurance exchanges, Sebelius decided to resign as Secretary as according to Sebelius the March 31, 2014, deadline for sign-ups under the health care law provided an opportunity for change so that Obama would be best served by someone who was not the target of so much political ire.[155]

Sylvia Mathews Burwell (2014–2017)

After the resignation of Sebelius was announced, it was revealed that on April 11, 2014, President Obama would nominate Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to become Secretary of HHS.[155] On June 5, 2014, Burwell was confirmed by the Senate in a 78–17 vote.[156]

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

The nomination of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.

Shaun Donovan (2009–2014)

Shaun Donovan was confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by the U.S. Senate on January 27, 2009, by unanimous consent.[157]

In May 2014, the resignation of Secretary Sebelius at HHS, caused a game of musical chairs, with OMB director Burwell being nominated to succeed Sebelius, which in turn on May 23, 2014, lead to the nomination of HUD Secretary Donovan to become the new director of the OMB.[158]

Julian Castro (2014–2017)

After President Obama decided to nominate Secretary Donovan as the new Director of the OMB, on May 23, 2014, Obama nominated the mayor of San Antonio, Julian Castro, to become the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.[158] On July 9, 2014, the Senate voted to confirm Castro by a 71–26 vote, with 18 Republicans voting in favor of the nomination.[159]

Secretary of Transportation

The nomination of the Secretary of Transportation is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.

 
LaHood Being Sworn in as Secretary of Transportation

Ray LaHood (2009–2013)

On December 19, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would nominate former Republican Congressman Ray LaHood to be the next Transportation Secretary. He was confirmed by a voice vote on January 23, 2009.[160]

President Obama said of LaHood "Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant that I'm asking to lead the Department of Transportation."[161]

LaHood's nomination was viewed with alarm among those concerned with climate change and suburban sprawl.[162][163][164] His resume on transportation matters is seen as thin by many critics. He did not serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the time his selection was announced, although he had in the past. As a member of the House Appropriations Committee he did not work on transportation funding.[165]

While picking LaHood drew praise for its bipartisan symbolism there was also a sense that LaHood's lack of expertise would diminish the department's role in 2009 major policy debates and leave him as more of a ceremonial figure. James Oberstar, the Democratic Congressman who chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was expected to hold more influence and will likely play a stronger leading role. Oberstar praised LaHood's "temperament" and "managerial talent," but when asked to cite an issue LaHood championed during his time on the Transportation Committee in the 1990s, Oberstar seemingly drew a blank. "I can't point to any specific legislation that he authored," he said. "He was a team player all the way through." Oberstar said LaHood would play a supporting role on tough policy calls.[166]

On January 29, 2013, LaHood announced that he would not stay on for Obama's second term and that he would resign upon the confirmation of his successor.[167]

Anthony Foxx (2013–2017)

Anthony Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina was nominated by President Barack Obama on April 29, 2013, to succeed Ray LaHood.[168] On June 10, 2013, the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Foxx's nomination.[128] On June 27, 2013, Foxx was unanimously (100–0) confirmed by the U.S. Senate.[169] Foxx was sworn in on July 2, as the 17th Secretary of Transportation.[170]

Secretary of Energy

The nomination of the Secretary of Energy is brought to the full US Senate by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee.

Steven Chu (2009–2013)

Nobel Prize–winning scientist Steven Chu was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate on January 20, 2009.[171] On January 21, 2009, Chu was sworn in as Secretary of Energy in the Barack Obama administration. Chu is the first person appointed to the Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize. He is also the second Chinese American to be a member of the Cabinet after Elaine Chao.[172]

Ernest Moniz (2013–2017)

On February 1, 2013, Secretary Chu announced his resignation pending the confirmation of a successor.[173]

On March 4, 2013, President Obama announced he was nominating Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy for his second term.[174] On April 18, 2013, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 21–1 to approve the nomination of Moniz.[175] On May 16, 2013, Moniz was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.[176]

Secretary of Education

 
Arne Duncan testifying to the US Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

The nomination of the Secretary of Education is brought to the full Senate through the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Arne Duncan was confirmed as Secretary of Education on January 21, 2009, by a voice vote.[177]

Arne Duncan (2009–2015)

President Obama nominated Arne Duncan on December 16, 2008, to be his Secretary of Education. In a prepared statement Obama praised Duncan's skills stating "For Arne, school reform isn't just a theory in a book – it's the cause of his life. And the results aren't just about test scores or statistics, but about whether our children are developing the skills they need to compete with any worker in the world for any job." [178]

Duncan received broad bipartisan support during his confirmation hearing in front of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on January 13, 2009. Senator Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said of Duncan, "there is no question that schools across America can benefit from the same kind of fresh thinking that (he) brought to Chicago public schools."[179]

On October 2, 2015, Duncan announced he would be stepping down as Secretary at the close of 2015.[180]

John King Jr. (2016–2017)

Upon the announcement of Duncan's stepping down, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Deputy Secretary of Education John King Jr. as the new Secretary of Education.[181] On March 14, 2016, King was approved to be Secretary of Education by the United States Senate after a 49–40 vote.[182]

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

The nomination of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.

Eric Shinseki (2009–2014)

Eric Shinseki was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 20, 2009.[177] On May 30, 2014, President Obama announced that he had accepted Shinseki's resignation as secretary.[183][184]

Robert McDonald (2014–2017)

On June 29, 2014, it was reported that U.S. President Barack Obama would nominate former Procter & Gamble executive Robert A. McDonald to succeed General Eric Shinseki as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs.[185] On July 23, 2014, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs backed McDonald 14–0, sending his nomination to the Senate floor.[186] On July 29, 2014, the Senate confirmed McDonald in a 97–0 vote.[187]

Secretary of Homeland Security

The nomination of the Secretary of Homeland Security is brought to the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Janet Napolitano (2009–2013)

Janet Napolitano was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of Secretary of Homeland Security on January 21, 2009.[177]

On November 5, 2008, Napolitano was named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.[188] On December 1, 2008, Barack Obama introduced Napolitano as his nominee to head the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS).[69][189] On January 20, 2009, Napolitano was confirmed, becoming the first woman appointed Secretary in the relatively new department. Secretary of State Jan Brewer became the governor of Arizona, as the state does not have a lieutenant governor.

On July 12, 2013, Napolitano announced she was resigning to take a position as President of the University of California.[190] Her resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security took effect on September 6, 2013, and Rand Beers served as Acting Secretary from that date until Jeh Johnson's confirmation as Secretary in December. Beers had been then-Acting Deputy Secretary and he retained his Senate-confirmation in the position immediately below, as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs; Beers left DHS on March 6, 2014, to join the White House staff.

Jeh Johnson (2013–2017)

On October 17, 2013, President Obama announced his intention to nominate former Pentagon official Jeh Johnson as Secretary of Homeland Security.[191] On December 16, 2013, Johnson was confirmed by the Senate in a 78–16 vote.[192]

Nominated candidates for Cabinet-level positions

President Obama has included members of his cabinet that are not traditionally considered members of the Cabinet.

Chief of Staff

See also: 2009 Illinois's 5th congressional district special election
 
Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office

On November 6, 2008, Rahm Emanuel accepted the Cabinet-level position of White House Chief of Staff under Barack Obama. He resigned his congressional seat effective January 2, 2009.[193] A special primary to fill his vacated congressional seat was held on March 3, 2009, and the special general election was held on April 7, 2009.[194][195] Chicago newspapers reported that one candidate for that seat said at a forum that Emanuel had told him he may be interested in running for the seat again in the future.[196]

Some Republican leaders criticized Rahm Emanuel's appointment because they believed it went against Obama's promises to make politics less divisive, given Emanuel's reputation as a partisan Democrat. Republican Lindsey Graham disagreed, saying: "This is a wise choice by President-elect Obama. He's tough but fair – honest, direct and candid."[197]

Ira Forman, executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council, said that the choice indicates that Obama will not listen to the wrong people regarding the U.S.–Israel relationship. Some commentators opined that Emanuel would be good for the Israeli–Palestinian peace process because if Israeli leaders make excuses for not dismantling settlements, Emanuel will be tough and pressure the Israelis to comply.[198]

Some Palestinians and Arabs expressed dismay at Obama's appointment of Emanuel.[199] Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada said that Obama's appointment of Emanuel sent the signal he would not be taking "more balanced, more objective, more realistic advice that could change the course from the disastrous Palestine-Israel policies of the Bush and Clinton administrations."[200] Emanuel said that Obama did not need his influence to "orientate his policy toward Israel".[201]

Emanuel left office on October 1, 2010, to be replaced on an interim basis by Pete Rouse, and was elected Mayor of Chicago the following February. William M. Daley became White House Chief of Staff on January 13, 2011, when interim Chief Pete Rouse was made legal Counselor to the President. A year later, on January 9, 2012, Daley announced his intention to retire in favor of Jack Lew (Budget Director since November 2010). Lew took office on January 27, 2012, but he, too, left the job a year later (on January 25, 2013) when he was nominated to be Secretary of the Treasury (see above).

From January 25, 2013, until January 20, 2017, the Chief of Staff was Denis McDonough, formerly the Deputy National Security Advisor.

Director of the Office of the Budget

Peter Orszag (2009–2010)

On November 25, 2008, President-elect Barack Obama announced that Peter R. Orszag would be his nominee for director of the Office of Management and Budget, the arm of the White House responsible for crafting the federal budget and overseeing the effectiveness of federal programs.[202][203] At 40, he was the youngest member of the Obama Cabinet, as the president upgraded the Director of OMB to cabinet-level priority.

Jack Lew (2010–2012)

Orszag resigned, effective from July 30, 2010. On July 13, 2010, the White House announced that Jack Lew had been chosen to replace Orszag as Director of OMB, subject to Senate confirmation.[204] During confirmation hearings in the Senate, in response to questioning by Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Lew said that he did not believe deregulation was a "proximate cause" of the financial crisis of 2007–2008: Lew told the panel that "the problems in the financial industry preceded deregulation," and after discussing those issues, added that he didn't "personally know the extent to which deregulation drove it, but I don't believe that deregulation was the proximate cause."[205][206] On November 18, 2010, Lew was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent. Jack Lew served from November 18, 2010 – January 27, 2012, when he resigned to become Obama's White House Chief of Staff. Following Lew's resignation, Jeffrey Zients served as Acting OMB Director until Sylvia Mathews Burwell's confirmation 15 months later.

Sylvia Mathews Burwell (2013–2014)

On March 3, 2013, it was announced that President Obama nominated Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head the OMB.[207] On April 24, 2013, the U.S. Senate confirmed Burwell 96–0.[208]

Shaun Donovan (2014–2017)

In May 2014, the resignation of Secretary Sebelius at HHS, caused a game of musical chairs, with OMB director Burwell being nominated to succeed Sebelius, which in turn on May 23, 2014, lead to the nomination of HUD Secretary Donovan to become the new director of the OMB.[158] On July 10, 2014, Donovan was confirmed as Director of the OMB in a 75–22 vote.[209]

Ambassador to the United Nations

Susan Rice (2009–2013)

On November 5, 2008, Susan Rice was named to the advisory board of the Obama-Biden Transition Project.[210] On December 1, 2008, she was nominated by President-elect Obama to be the U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations,[69][86] a position which he also upgraded to cabinet level.[211] Rice is the second youngest[211] and the first African American woman US Representative to the UN.[212] Dr. Rice announced that she would have both a transition team in place in New York and in Washington, DC at the State Department to be headed by Hillary Clinton. Rice was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote on January 22, 2009.

Samantha Power (2013–2017)

On June 5, 2013, President Obama announced that he would appoint Susan Rice as National Security Advisor in succession to Tom Donilon. Rice in turn would be replaced as Ambassador to the United Nations by Samantha Power.[213] On July 23, 2013, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Power's nomination.[214] On August 1, 2013, the Senate confirmed Power in an 87–10 vote.[215]

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Lisa P. Jackson (2009–2013)

On December 15, 2008, President-Elect Barack Obama officially designated Lisa P. Jackson as the nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.[216] She was confirmed through unanimous consent of the U.S. Senate on January 23, 2009.[217] Jackson is the first African American to serve as EPA Administrator, along with being the fourth woman and second New Jerseyan to hold the position.[218]

Gina McCarthy (2013–2017)

Lisa Jackson decided not to stay for Obama's second term. On March 4, 2013, President Obama announced he was nominating Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator for his second term.[174]

On May 9, 2013, all eight Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted the panel in order to deny a vote on Gina McCarthy's nomination to head the EPA.[219] On May 16, 2013, McCarthy's nomination was endorsed by the committee along party lines. The vote sends McCarthy's nomination to the Senate floor. However, Sen. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) placed a hold on her nomination which had to be withdrawn before a floor vote occurred.[220]

On July 18, 2013, McCarthy was confirmed as EPA administrator after senators reached a deal to avert changing the chamber's rules and which saw the Senate vote to move forward with a vote on McCarthy, with her nomination getting 69 votes to break the filibuster. The Senate ultimately confirmed McCarthy on a 59–40 vote.[221]

Trade Representative

Ron Kirk (2009–2013)

Although there was speculation that Ron Kirk would be appointed Secretary of Transportation by President Obama, he was given the position of Trade Representative.[222] As a supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement, his selection has drawn concern from advocates of fair trade policies.[223]

On January 22, 2013, Kirk announced that he would be stepping down as U.S. Trade Rep.[224][225] His resignation became effective March 15, 2013.

Michael Froman (2013–2017)

On May 2, 2013, President Obama announced the nomination of deputy national security adviser for international economics Michael Froman as Trade Representative.[127] On June 11, 2013, the Senate Finance Committee approved Froman's nomination.[226] On June 19, 2013, Froman was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in a 93 to 4 vote.[227]

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers

Christina Romer (2009–2010)

On November 24, 2008, President Barack Obama designated Christina Romer as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers upon the start of his administration.[228][229]

After her nomination and before the Obama administration took office, Romer was tasked with co-authoring the administration's plan to recover from the 2008 recession. With economist Jared Bernstein, Romer co-authored Obama's plan for economic recovery.[230]

In a video presentation,[231] she discussed details of the job-creation package that the Obama administration submitted to Congress.

Austan Goolsbee (2010–2011)

Romer resigned in September 2010 to return to positions in academia.[232]

Austan Goolsbee was designated chair of the Council on September 10, 2010, succeeding Christina Romer.[233]

On June 6, 2011, Goolsbee announced that he would return to the University of Chicago, claiming that the economy was "a million miles from where it started".[234] He was expected to play an informal role from Chicago in Obama's 2012 campaign. Goolsbee's resignation became effective August 5, 2011.[235]

Alan Krueger (2011–2013)

On August 29, 2011, Alan Krueger was nominated by Obama to be chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers,[236][237] and on November 3, 2011, the Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination.[238]

Jason Furman (2013–2017)

As Krueger had to return to Princeton University in the fall of 2013 or face the prospect of losing tenure, he chose to resign as chair. [239] On June 10, 2013, Jason Furman was named by President Barack Obama as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors (CEA).[240] On August 1, 2013, the Senate confirmed Furman.[241]

Administrator of the Small Business Administration

Karen Mills (2009–2013)

Karen Mills was nominated by President-elect Barack Obama on December 19, 2008, confirmed unanimously by the Senate on April 2, 2009, and sworn in on April 6, 2009.[242][243] During her tenure, in 2012 her office was elevated to the rank of Cabinet-level officer, expanding her power on policy decisions and granting her access to cabinet meetings.[244]

On February 11, 2013, Mills announced her resignation as Administrator of the SBA.[245][246]

Maria Contreras-Sweet (2014–2017)

On January 15, 2014, Maria Contreras-Sweet was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration.[247] Contreras-Sweet was confirmed as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration by voice vote on March 27, 2014.[248] She assumed role of her position as Administrator of the Small Business Administration on April 7, 2014.[249]

Formerly Cabinet-level

Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy

On February 11, 2009, it was reported that Gil Kerlikowske had accepted an offer by President Obama to become Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, succeeding John P. Walters.[250] On May 7, 2009, the Senate confirmed Kerlikowske's nomination by a vote of 91–1.[251] However, prior to Kerlikowske's nomination, the position was downgraded from a Cabinet-level position to a non-Cabinet-level position.[252]

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Biden held the chairmanship from January 3 to January 20, then was succeeded by Jesse Helms until June 6, and thereafter held the position until 2003

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February 04, 2023
cabinet, barack, obama, barack, obama, assumed, office, president, united, states, january, 2009, term, ended, january, 2017, president, authority, nominate, members, cabinet, united, states, senate, confirmation, under, appointments, clause, united, states, c. Barack Obama assumed office as President of the United States on January 20 2009 and his term ended on January 20 2017 The president has the authority to nominate members of his Cabinet to the United States Senate for confirmation under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution Obama CabinetCabinet of the United States2009 2017First Cabinet of President Barack Obama in the White House East Room 2009Date formedJanuary 20 2009 2009 01 20 Date dissolvedJanuary 20 2017 2017 01 20 People and organizationsPresidentBarack ObamaPresident s historyFormer U S Senator from Illinois 2005 2008 Vice PresidentJoe BidenMember party Democratic PartyStatus in legislatureMajority government 2009 2011 Divided government 2011 2017 Opposition party Republican PartyHistoryElection s 2008 United States presidential election2012 United States presidential electionLegislature term s 111th United States Congress112th United States Congress113th United States Congress114th United States Congress115th United States CongressBudget s 2009 budget2010 budget2011 budget2012 budget2013 budget2014 budget2015 budget2016 budgetAdvice and consentUnited States SenatePredecessorCabinet of George W BushSuccessorCabinet of Donald TrumpBefore confirmation and during congressional hearings a high level career member of an executive department heads this pre confirmed cabinet on an acting basis The Cabinet s creation was part of the transition of power following the 2008 presidential election This page documents the nomination and confirmation process for cabinet nominees of Obama s administration They are listed in order of creation of the cabinet position also used as the basis for the presidential line of succession Contents 1 Cabinet 1 1 Cabinet officials on January 20 2017 1 2 Cabinet level officials 1 3 Confirmation process 1 3 1 Confirmation votes 2 Elected officials 2 1 President 2 2 Vice President 3 Nominated candidates for Cabinet positions 3 1 Secretary of State 3 1 1 Hillary Clinton 2009 2013 3 1 2 John Kerry 2013 2017 3 2 Secretary of the Treasury 3 2 1 Tim Geithner 2009 2013 3 2 2 Jack Lew 2013 2017 3 3 Secretary of Defense 3 3 1 Robert Gates 2006 2011 3 3 2 Leon Panetta 2011 2013 3 3 3 Chuck Hagel 2013 2015 3 3 4 Ash Carter 2015 2017 3 4 Attorney General 3 4 1 Eric Holder 2009 2015 3 4 2 Loretta Lynch 2015 2017 3 5 Secretary of the Interior 3 5 1 Ken Salazar 2009 2013 3 5 2 Sally Jewell 2013 2017 3 6 Secretary of Agriculture 3 6 1 Tom Vilsack 2009 2017 3 7 Secretary of Commerce 3 7 1 Failed nomination of Bill Richardson 2009 3 7 2 Failed nomination of Judd Gregg 2009 3 7 3 Gary Locke 2009 2011 3 7 4 John Bryson 2011 2012 3 7 5 Penny Pritzker 2013 2017 3 8 Secretary of Labor 3 8 1 Hilda Solis 2009 2013 3 8 2 Thomas Perez 2013 2017 3 9 Secretary of Health and Human Services 3 9 1 Failed nomination of Tom Daschle 2009 3 9 2 Kathleen Sebelius 2009 2014 3 9 3 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2014 2017 3 10 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 3 10 1 Shaun Donovan 2009 2014 3 10 2 Julian Castro 2014 2017 3 11 Secretary of Transportation 3 11 1 Ray LaHood 2009 2013 3 11 2 Anthony Foxx 2013 2017 3 12 Secretary of Energy 3 12 1 Steven Chu 2009 2013 3 12 2 Ernest Moniz 2013 2017 3 13 Secretary of Education 3 13 1 Arne Duncan 2009 2015 3 13 2 John King Jr 2016 2017 3 14 Secretary of Veterans Affairs 3 14 1 Eric Shinseki 2009 2014 3 14 2 Robert McDonald 2014 2017 3 15 Secretary of Homeland Security 3 15 1 Janet Napolitano 2009 2013 3 15 2 Jeh Johnson 2013 2017 4 Nominated candidates for Cabinet level positions 4 1 Chief of Staff 4 2 Director of the Office of the Budget 4 2 1 Peter Orszag 2009 2010 4 2 2 Jack Lew 2010 2012 4 2 3 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013 2014 4 2 4 Shaun Donovan 2014 2017 4 3 Ambassador to the United Nations 4 3 1 Susan Rice 2009 2013 4 3 2 Samantha Power 2013 2017 4 4 Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 4 4 1 Lisa P Jackson 2009 2013 4 4 2 Gina McCarthy 2013 2017 4 5 Trade Representative 4 5 1 Ron Kirk 2009 2013 4 5 2 Michael Froman 2013 2017 4 6 Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers 4 6 1 Christina Romer 2009 2010 4 6 2 Austan Goolsbee 2010 2011 4 6 3 Alan Krueger 2011 2013 4 6 4 Jason Furman 2013 2017 4 7 Administrator of the Small Business Administration 4 7 1 Karen Mills 2009 2013 4 7 2 Maria Contreras Sweet 2014 2017 5 Formerly Cabinet level 5 1 Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy 6 See also 7 Notes 8 References 9 External linksCabinet EditCabinet officials on January 20 2017 Edit The Obama cabinetOfficeNameTermPresidentBarack Obama2009 2017Vice PresidentJoe Biden2009 2017Secretary of StateHillary Clinton2009 2013John Kerry2013 2017Secretary of the TreasuryTimothy Geithner2009 2013Jack Lew2013 2017Secretary of DefenseRobert Gates 2006 2011Leon Panetta2011 2013Chuck Hagel2013 2015Ash Carter2015 2017Attorney GeneralEric Holder2009 2015Loretta Lynch2015 2017Secretary of the InteriorKen Salazar2009 2013Sally Jewell2013 2017Secretary of AgricultureTom Vilsack2009 2017Secretary of CommerceGary Locke2009 2011John Bryson2011 2012Penny Pritzker2013 2017Secretary of LaborHilda Solis2009 2013Tom Perez2013 2017Secretary of Health andHuman ServicesKathleen Sebelius2009 2014Sylvia Mathews Burwell2014 2017Secretary of Housing andUrban DevelopmentShaun Donovan2009 2014Julian Castro2014 2017Secretary of TransportationRay LaHood2009 2013Anthony Foxx2013 2017Secretary of EnergySteven Chu2009 2013Ernest Moniz2013 2017Secretary of EducationArne Duncan2009 2016John King Jr 2016 2017Secretary of Veterans AffairsEric Shinseki2009 2014Bob McDonald2014 2017Secretary of Homeland SecurityJanet Napolitano2009 2013Jeh Johnson2013 2017Administrator of theEnvironmental Protection AgencyLisa Jackson2009 2013Gina McCarthy2013 2017Director of the Office ofManagement and BudgetPeter Orszag2009 2010Jack Lew2010 2012Sylvia Mathews Burwell2013 2014Shaun Donovan2014 2017United States Trade RepresentativeRon Kirk2009 2013Michael Froman2013 2017Ambassador to the United NationsSusan Rice2009 2013Samantha Power2013 2017Chair of theCouncil of Economic AdvisersChristina Romer2009 2010Austan Goolsbee2010 2011Alan Krueger2011 2013Jason Furman2013 2017Administrator of theSmall Business AdministrationKaren Mills 2009 2013Maria Contreras Sweet2014 2017Chief of StaffRahm Emanuel2009 2010William M Daley2011 2012Jack Lew2012 2013Denis McDonough2013 2017 Retained from previous administration Elevated to cabinet level in January 2012Cabinet of President Barack Obama Elected to office all other cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the president No Senate consent neededSource 1 Office Date announced confirmed Designee Office Date announced confirmed Designee Vice President of the United StatesAnnounced August 22 2008Elected November 4 2008Assumed office January 20 2009 Former U S Senator Joe Bidenof Delaware Secretary of StateAnnounced December 21 2012 Assumed office February 1 2013 Former U S Senator John Kerryof Massachusetts Secretary of the TreasuryAnnounced January 10 2013 Assumed office February 28 2013 Former White House Chief of Staff Jack Lewof New York Secretary of DefenseAnnounced December 5 2014 Assumed office February 17 2015 Former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carterof Pennsylvania Attorney GeneralAnnounced November 8 2014 Assumed office April 27 2015 Former United States Attorney Loretta Lynchof New York Secretary of the InteriorAnnounced February 6 2013 Assumed office April 12 2013 Chief Executive Officer of REI Sally Jewellof Washington Secretary of AgricultureAnnounced December 17 2008 Assumed office January 20 2009 Former Governor Tom Vilsackof Iowa Secretary of CommerceAnnounced May 2 2013 Assumed office June 26 2013 Billionaire Businesswoman Penny Pritzkerof Illinois Secretary of LaborAnnounced March 18 2013 Assumed office July 23 2013 Former Assistant Attorney General Tom Perezof Maryland Secretary of Health and Human ServicesAnnounced April 11 2014 Assumed office June 9 2014 Former Director of OMB Sylvia Matthews Burwellof West Virginia Secretary of Housing and Urban DevelopmentAnnounced May 22 2014 Assumed office July 28 2014 Former Mayor of San Antonio Julian Castroof Texas Secretary of TransportationAnnounced April 29 2013 Assumed office July 2 2013 Former Mayor of Charlotte Anthony Foxxof Delaware Secretary of EnergyAnnounced March 4 2013 Assumed office May 21 2013 Former Under Secretary of Energy Ernest Monizof Massachusetts Secretary of EducationAnnounced December 10 2015 Assumed office September 14 2016 Acting Secretary of Education John King Jr of New York Secretary of Veterans AffairsAnnounced July 7 2014 Assumed office July 30 2014 Chief Executive Officer P amp G Bob McDonaldof Ohio Secretary of Homeland SecurityAnnounced October 18 2013 Assumed office December 23 2013 Former General Counsel of D O D Jeh Johnsonof New YorkCabinet level officials EditOfficeDate announced confirmed Designee OfficeDate announced confirmed Designee White House Chief of StaffAnnounced January 20 2013Assumed office January 20 2013 Former Deputy National Security Advisor Denis McDonoughof Maryland Administrator of the Environmental Protection AgencyAnnounced March 4 2013 Assumed office July 18 2013 Former Assistant Administrator for the EPA Gina McCarthyof Connecticut Director of the Office of Management and BudgetAnnounced May 22 2014 Assumed office August 5 2014 Former Secretary of H U D Shaun Donovanof New York United States Trade RepresentativeAnnounced May 2 2013 Assumed office June 21 2013 Former Deputy National Security Advisor Michael Fromanof Washington D C United States Ambassador to the United NationsAnnounced June 5 2013 Assumed office August 5 2013 Former Special Assistant to the President Samantha Powerof Washington D C Chair of the Council of Economic AdvisorsAnnounced June 10 2013 Assumed office August 2 2013 Former Deputy Director of the National Economic Council Jason Furmanof Massachusetts Administrator of the Small Business AdministrationAnnounced January 15 2014 Assumed office April 7 2014 Former California Secretary of Business Transportation and Housing Agency Maria Contreras Sweetof CaliforniaConfirmation process Edit Confirmation votes EditFor comparison See also Elena Kagan Supreme Court nomination Full Senate and Sonia Sotomayor Supreme Court nomination Full Senate Confirmations before June 2009The below is a list of confirmations that were approved through the Senate from January to May 2009 by a recorded roll call vote rather than by a voice vote State Senator Party Jan 21 HillaryClintonState94 2 Jan 26 TimothyGeithnerTreasury60 34 Feb 2 EricHolderAtt y Gen 75 21 Feb 24 HildaSolisLabor80 17 March 18 RonKirkTrade92 5 April 28 KathleenSebeliusHealth65 31 May 7 GilKerlikowskeDrug Policy91 1Hawaii Daniel Akaka D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaTennessee Lamar Alexander R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaWyoming John Barrasso R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaMontana Max Baucus D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaIndiana Evan Bayh D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaAlaska Mark Begich D Yea Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea YeaColorado Michael Bennet D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaUtah Robert Bennett R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaNew Mexico Jeff Bingaman D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMissouri Kit Bond R Yea Not voting Yea Nay Nay Yea Not votingCalifornia Barbara Boxer D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaOhio Sherrod Brown D Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaKansas Sam Brownback R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Yea YeaKentucky Jim Bunning R Yea Nay Nay Nay Nay Nay YeaNorth Carolina Richard Burr R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaIllinois Roland Burris D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaWest Virginia Robert Byrd D Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea YeaWashington Maria Cantwell D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMaryland Ben Cardin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaDelaware Tom Carper D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaPennsylvania Bob Casey D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaGeorgia Saxby Chambliss R Not voting Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaOklahoma Tom Coburn R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay NayMississippi Thad Cochran R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaMaine Susan Collins R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNorth Dakota Kent Conrad D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaTennessee Bob Corker R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaTexas John Cornyn R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaIdaho Mike Crapo R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaSouth Carolina Jim DeMint R Nay Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaConnecticut Chris Dodd D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNorth Dakota Byron Dorgan D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaIllinois Dick Durbin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting Yea YeaNevada John Ensign R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaWyoming Mike Enzi R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaWisconsin Russ Feingold D Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaCalifornia Dianne Feinstein D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMinnesota Al Franken D New York Kirsten Gillibrand D Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaSouth Carolina Lindsey Graham R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaIowa Chuck Grassley R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaNew Hampshire Judd Gregg R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNorth Carolina Kay Hagan D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaIowa Tom Harkin D Yea Nay Yea Not voting Yea Yea YeaUtah Orrin Hatch R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaTexas Kay Bailey Hutchison R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaOklahoma Jim Inhofe R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaHawaii Daniel Inouye D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaGeorgia Johnny Isakson R Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Nay YeaNebraska Mike Johanns R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaSouth Dakota Tim Johnson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not votingDelaware Ted Kaufman D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMassachusetts Ted Kennedy D Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not voting Not votingMassachusetts John Kerry D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMinnesota Amy Klobuchar D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaWisconsin Herb Kohl D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaArizona Jon Kyl R Yea Nay Yea Nay Yea Nay YeaLouisiana Mary Landrieu D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNew Jersey Frank Lautenberg D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not votingVermont Patrick Leahy D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMichigan Carl Levin D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaConnecticut Joe Lieberman Ind D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaArkansas Blanche Lincoln D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaIndiana Richard Lugar R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaFlorida Mel Martinez R Yea Nay Not voting Yea Yea Nay YeaArizona John McCain R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaMissouri Claire McCaskill D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaKentucky Mitch McConnell R Yea Nay Nay Yea Yea Nay YeaNew Jersey Bob Menendez D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not votingOregon Jeff Merkley D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMaryland Barbara Mikulski D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaAlaska Lisa Murkowski R Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Nay YeaWashington Patty Murray D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaFlorida Bill Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNebraska Ben Nelson D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaArkansas Mark Pryor D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaRhode Island Jack Reed D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNevada Harry Reid D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaIdaho Jim Risch R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaKansas Pat Roberts R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Yea YeaWest Virginia Jay Rockefeller D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Not voting Not votingVermont Bernie Sanders Ind Yea Nay Yea Yea Nay Yea YeaNew York Chuck Schumer D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaAlabama Jeff Sessions R Yea Nay Yea Nay Yea Not voting YeaNew Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaAlabama Richard Shelby R Yea Yea Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaMaine Olympia Snowe R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaPennsylvania Arlen Specter R D Yea Nay Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMichigan Debbie Stabenow D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMontana Jon Tester D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaSouth Dakota John Thune R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaColorado Mark Udall D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaNew Mexico Tom Udall D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaLouisiana David Vitter R Nay Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay Not votingOhio George Voinovich R Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaVirginia Mark Warner D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaVirginia Jim Webb D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaRhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse D Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea YeaMississippi Roger Wicker R Yea Nay Nay Nay Yea Nay YeaOregon Ron Wyden D Yea Not voting Yea Yea Yea Yea Yea vote by party DRInd 54 038 22 0Clinton 49 310 301 1Geithner 54 019 212 0Holder 54 024 172 0Solis 53 138 31 1Kirk 54 09 312 0Sebelius 52 037 12 0KerlikowskeNotes and Key All dates are in 2009 For later votes see the table below Att y Gen Attorney General of the United States Trade U S Trade Representative Health Secretary of Health and Human Services Drug Policy Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy before confirmation this post was removed from Cabinet level status D Democratic R Republican Ind independent Ind D independent Democratic R D moved from Republican to Democratic caucus on April 29 30 2009 seat vacant at the time of this vote Sources United States Senate The Washington Post Confirmations after June 2009 August 6 2009 December 8 2011 State Senator Party Jan 28 2010 Ben S BernankeChairmanof Fed70 30 June 30 2011 DavidPetraeusCIA 6 NV 94 0 Oct 20 2011 John E BrysonSec of Commerce74 26 Dec 8 2011 RichardCordrayCFPB failed 53 45Hawaii Daniel Akaka D Yea Yea Yea YeaTennessee Lamar Alexander R Yea Yea Yea NayNew Hampshire Kelly Ayotte R Yea Yea NayWyoming John Barrasso R Yea Yea Nay NayMontana Max Baucus D Yea Yea Yea YeaIndiana Evan Bayh D Yea Alaska Mark Begich D Nay Yea Yea YeaColorado Michael Bennet D Yea Yea Yea YeaUtah Robert Bennett R Yea New Mexico Jeff Bingaman D Yea Yea Yea YeaConnecticut Richard Blumenthal D Yea Yea YeaMissouri Roy Blunt R Yea Nay NayMissouri Kit Bond R Yea Arkansas John Boozman R Yea Nay NayCalifornia Barbara Boxer D Nay Not Voting Yea YeaMassachusetts Scott Brown R Yea Yea YeaOhio Sherrod Brown D Yea Yea Yea YeaKansas Sam Brownback R Nay Kentucky Jim Bunning R Nay North Carolina Richard Burr R Yea Not Voting Nay NayIllinois Roland Burris D Yea West Virginia Robert Byrd D Yea Washington Maria Cantwell D Nay Yea Yea YeaMaryland Ben Cardin D Yea Yea Yea YeaDelaware Tom Carper D Yea Yea Yea YeaPennsylvania Bob Casey D Yea Yea Yea YeaGeorgia Saxby Chambliss R Yea Yea Yea NayIndiana Dan Coats R Yea Yea NayOklahoma Tom Coburn R Yea Yea Nay NayMississippi Thad Cochran R Yea Yea Yea NayMaine Susan Collins R Yea Yea Yea NayNorth Dakota Kent Conrad D Yea Yea Yea YeaDelaware Chris Coons D Yea Yea YeaTennessee Bob Corker R Yea Yea Yea NayTexas John Cornyn R Nay Yea Nay NayIdaho Mike Crapo R Nay Yea Nay NaySouth Carolina Jim DeMint R Nay Yea Nay NayConnecticut Chris Dodd D Yea North Dakota Byron Dorgan D Nay Illinois Dick Durbin D Yea Yea Yea YeaNevada John Ensign R Nay Wyoming Mike Enzi R Yea Yea Nay NayWisconsin Russ Feingold D Nay California Dianne Feinstein D Yea Yea Yea YeaMinnesota Al Franken D Nay Yea Yea YeaNew York Kirsten Gillibrand D Yea Yea Yea YeaWest Virginia Carte Goodwin D South Carolina Lindsey Graham R Yea Yea Yea NayIowa Chuck Grassley R Nay Yea Nay NayNew Hampshire Judd Gregg R Yea North Carolina Kay Hagan D Yea Yea Yea YeaIowa Tom Harkin D Nay Yea Yea YeaUtah Orrin Hatch R Yea Yea Nay NayNevada Dean Heller R Yea Nay NayNorth Dakota John Hoeven R Yea Nay NayTexas Kay Bailey Hutchison R Nay Yea Yea NayOklahoma Jim Inhofe R Nay Not Voting Nay NayHawaii Daniel Inouye D Yea Yea Yea YeaGeorgia Johnny Isakson R Yea Yea Yea NayNebraska Mike Johanns R Yea Yea Yea NaySouth Dakota Tim Johnson D Yea Yea Yea YeaWisconsin Ron Johnson R Yea Nay NayDelaware Ted Kaufman D Nay Massachusetts Ted Kennedy D Massachusetts John Kerry D Yea Yea Yea Not VotingMassachusetts Paul Kirk D Yea Illinois Mark Kirk R Yea Yea NayMinnesota Amy Klobuchar D Yea Yea Yea YeaWisconsin Herb Kohl D Yea Yea Yea YeaArizona Jon Kyl R Yea Yea Nay NayLouisiana Mary Landrieu D Yea Yea Yea YeaNew Jersey Frank Lautenberg D Yea Yea Yea YeaVermont Patrick Leahy D Yea Not Voting Yea YeaUtah Mike Lee R Yea Nay NayFlorida George LeMieux R Nay Michigan Carl Levin D Yea Yea Yea YeaConnecticut Joe Lieberman Ind D Yea Yea Yea YeaArkansas Blanche Lincoln D Yea Indiana Richard Lugar R Yea Yea Yea NayFlorida Mel Martinez R Arizona John McCain R Nay Yea Yea NayMissouri Claire McCaskill D Yea Yea Yea YeaKentucky Mitch McConnell R Yea Yea Nay NayNew Jersey Bob Menendez D Yea Yea Yea YeaOregon Jeff Merkley D Nay Yea Yea YeaMaryland Barbara Mikulski D Yea Yea Yea YeaKansas Jerry Moran R Not Voting Yea NayAlaska Lisa Murkowski R Yea Yea Yea NayWashington Patty Murray D Yea Yea Yea YeaFlorida Bill Nelson D Yea Yea Yea YeaNebraska Ben Nelson D Yea Yea Yea YeaKentucky Rand Paul R Yea Nay NayOhio Rob Portman R Yea Yea NayArkansas Mark Pryor D Yea Yea Yea YeaRhode Island Jack Reed D Yea Yea Yea YeaNevada Harry Reid D Yea Yea Yea YeaIdaho Jim Risch R Nay Yea Nay NayKansas Pat Roberts R Nay Yea Nay NayWest Virginia Jay Rockefeller D Yea Yea Yea YeaFlorida Marco Rubio R Yea Nay NayVermont Bernie Sanders Ind Nay Yea Yea YeaNew York Chuck Schumer D Yea Yea Yea YeaAlabama Jeff Sessions R Nay Yea Nay NayNew Hampshire Jeanne Shaheen D Yea Yea Yea YeaAlabama Richard Shelby R Nay Yea Nay NayMaine Olympia Snowe R Yea Yea Yea PresentPennsylvania Arlen Specter D Nay Michigan Debbie Stabenow D Yea Yea Yea YeaMontana Jon Tester D Yea Yea Yea YeaSouth Dakota John Thune R Nay Yea Yea NayPennsylvania Pat Toomey R Yea Yea NayColorado Mark Udall D Yea Yea Yea YeaNew Mexico Tom Udall D Yea Not Voting Yea YeaLouisiana David Vitter R Nay Yea Nay NayOhio George Voinovich R Yea Virginia Mark Warner D Yea Yea Yea YeaVirginia Jim Webb D Yea Yea Yea YeaRhode Island Sheldon Whitehouse D Nay Yea Yea YeaMississippi Roger Wicker R Nay Yea Nay NayOregon Ron Wyden D Yea Yea Yea Yea session amp roll call 111th 2nd 16 112th 1st 104 112th 1st 176 112th 1st 223 vote by party DRInd 47 1122 181 1Bernanke 48 0 3 NV 44 0 3 NV 2 0Petraeus 51 0 21 262 0Bryson 50 0 1 NV 1 45 1 Pres 2 0CordrayNotes failed Roll call was for cloture of debate on Cordray s nomination ending filibusters requiring a three fifths vote Chairman of Fed Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board of GovernorsCIA Director of the Central Intelligence Agency CFPB Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau D Democratic R Republican Ind independent Ind D independent Democratic not a Senator during this vote NV Not Voting Pres Present Sources United States Senate 2009 2010 2011 The Washington Post 2009 2010 2011Elected officials EditPresident Edit On November 4 2008 it was announced that Democrat Barack Obama defeated Senator John McCain in the 2008 presidential election Barack Obama received 365 electoral votes compared to McCain s 173 electoral votes with 270 needed to win the presidency He assumed office on January 20 2009 President of the United StatesPortrait Name Date of birth Background Reference Barack Obama August 4 1961 U S Senator from Illinois 2005 2008 Member of the Illinois Senate from the 13th district Democratic presidential candidate 2008 2 Vice President Edit Main article 2008 Democratic Party vice presidential candidate selection Wikinews has related news US candidate Barack Obama announces Joe Biden as his running mate via text message The vice president is an elected official rather than an appointed position and therefore does not require confirmation by the Senate Vice President of the United StatesPortrait Name Date of birth Background Reference Joe Biden November 20 1942 U S Senator from Delaware 1973 2009 Chair of the International Narcotics Control Caucus 2007 2009 Chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee 2001 n 1 2003 2007 2009 Democratic presidential candidate 1988 2008 Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee 1987 1995 New Castle County Councilman 4th district 1971 1973 3 Vice President elect Joe Biden with Vice President Dick Cheney at Number One Observatory Circle November 13 2008 From left Vice President Joe Biden President Obama Budget Director Peter Orszag and Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office January 2009 Since shortly following Biden s withdrawal from the presidential race Obama had been privately telling Biden that he was interested in finding an important place for him in a possible Obama administration 4 In a June 22 2008 interview on NBC s Meet the Press Biden confirmed that although he was not actively seeking a spot on the ticket he would accept the vice presidential nomination if offered 5 In early August Obama and Biden met in secret to discuss a possible vice presidential relationship 4 On August 22 2008 Barack Obama announced that Biden would be his running mate 6 7 The New York Times reported that the strategy behind the choice reflected a desire to fill out the ticket with someone who has foreign policy and national security experience and not to help the ticket win a swing state or to emphasize Obama s change message 8 Other observers pointed out Biden s appeal to middle class and blue collar voters as well as his willingness to aggressively challenge Republican nominee John McCain in a way that Obama seemed uncomfortable doing at times 9 In accepting Obama s offer Biden ruled out to him the possibility of running for president again in 2016 4 On November 4 2008 Obama was elected president and Biden vice president of the United States 10 The Obama Biden ticket won 365 electoral college votes to McCain Palin s 173 11 and had a 53 46 percent edge in the nationwide popular vote 12 Biden became the 47th Vice President of the United States on January 20 2009 when he was inaugurated alongside President Barack Obama He succeeded Dick Cheney Biden is the first United States Vice President from Delaware 13 and the first Roman Catholic to attain that office 14 Biden s oath of office was administered by Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens 15 As the presidential transition of Barack Obama began Biden said he was in daily meetings with Obama and that McCain was still his friend 16 The U S Secret Service codename given to Biden is Celtic referencing his Irish roots 17 Biden chose veteran Democratic lawyer and aide Ron Klain to be his vice presidential chief of staff 18 and Time Washington bureau chief Jay Carney to be his director of communications 19 Biden intended to eliminate some of the explicit roles assumed by the vice presidency of Cheney 20 But otherwise Biden said he would not model his vice presidency on any of the ones before him but instead would seek to provide advice and counsel on every critical decision Obama would make 21 Biden said he had been closely involved in all the cabinet appointments that were made during the transition 21 Biden was also named to head the new White House Task Force on Working Families an initiative aimed at improving the economic well being of the middle class 22 Nominated candidates for Cabinet positions EditThe following cabinet positions are listed in order of their creation also used as the basis for the United States presidential line of succession Secretary of State Edit The Secretary of State designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the Senate Foreign Relations Committee Hillary Clinton 2009 2013 Edit Wikinews has related news Hillary Clinton nominated as US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton Hillary Clinton assumed the office of Secretary of State on January 21 2009 In mid November 2008 President elect Obama and Clinton discussed the possibility of her serving as U S Secretary of State in his administration 23 along with rumored nominees such as Bill Richardson John Kerry Sam Nunn and Chuck Hagel 24 and on November 21 reports indicated that she had accepted the position 25 Clinton was floated in emails by Obama transition officials as a possible secretary of health and human services 26 On December 1 President elect Obama formally announced that Clinton would be his nominee for Secretary of State 27 Clinton said she was reluctant to leave the Senate but that the new position represented a difficult and exciting adventure 27 The appointment required a Saxbe fix as Clinton was then a member of the United States Senate 28 As part of the nomination Clinton s husband former president Bill Clinton agreed to accept a number of conditions and restrictions regarding his ongoing activities and fundraising efforts for the Clinton Presidential Center and Clinton Global Initiative 29 Confirmation hearings before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee began on January 13 2009 a week before the Obama inauguration two days later the committee voted 16 1 to approve Clinton 30 By this time Clinton s public approval rating had reached 65 percent the highest point since the Lewinsky scandal 31 On January 21 2009 Clinton was confirmed in the full Senate by a roll call vote of 94 2 32 Clinton took the oath of office of Secretary of State and resigned from the Senate the same day 33 Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman John Kerry stated that he expected Clinton to face some tough questions but thought she was going to do a good job at being Secretary of State 34 Christopher Hitchens of Vanity Fair called her nomination a ludicrous embarrassment on the edition of November 18 2008 of Hardball due to the Clintons overseas connections her actions during the 2008 Democratic Presidential Primary 35 Senator John Cornyn R Texas voted against a unanimous voice approval citing ethical concerns He sought not to block the nomination through a filibuster but to voice his opposition to her policies 36 Senator David Vitter R Louisiana also voted against Clinton in Committee citing her husband s foreign donations for his non profit entities 37 John Kerry 2013 2017 Edit John Kerry Hillary Clinton had announced she would not stay on in a second Obama term Obama nominated Senator John Kerry of Massachusetts as his Secretary of State On January 29 2013 John Kerry was confirmed by the Senate in a 94 3 vote to be Secretary of State 38 John Kerry took office on February 1 2013 Secretary of the Treasury Edit Wikinews has related news Obama s choice for Treasury issues warning on China The Secretary of the Treasury is reviewed by the Senate Finance Committee Tim Geithner 2009 2013 Edit Tim Geithner At the end of November 2008 President elect Obama announced his intention to nominate Timothy Geithner President of the New York Federal Reserve Bank to be United States Secretary of the Treasury replacing Henry Paulson 39 40 Geithner believed along with Paulson that the United States Department of the Treasury needed new authority to experiment with responses to the financial crisis of 2007 2008 citation needed In a written statement Geithner said that China is manipulating the Renminbi by purposefully keeping its value low in order to make its exported products seem cheaper on the world market 41 If confirmed Geither said to the Senate Finance Committee that he would ask the Obama administration to pressure China diplomatically to change this practice 41 more strongly than the Bush administration did 42 The United States maintains that China s actions hurt American businesses and contributed to the financial crisis of 2007 2008 43 At the Senate confirmation hearings it was revealed through documentary evidence that Geithner had not paid 35 000 self employment taxes for several years 44 even though he had acknowledged his obligation to do so and had filed a request for and received a payment for half the taxes owed The failure to pay self employment taxes was noted during a 2006 audit by the Internal Revenue Service in which Geithner was assessed additional taxes of 14 847 for the 2003 and 2004 tax years Geithner failed to pay or to admit his failure to pay the self employment taxes for the 2001 and 2002 tax years until after President elect Obama expressed his intent to nominate Geithner to be Secretary of Treasury 45 He also deducted the cost of his children s sleep away camp as a dependent care expense when only expenses for day care are eligible for the deduction 46 Geithner subsequently paid the IRS the additional taxes owed 47 and was charged interest of 15 000 but was not fined for late payment 48 In addition his housekeeper s work authorization lapsed during the last three months she worked for him 49 Geithner s employer at the time the International Monetary Fund gives its American employees the employer s half of the payroll taxes expecting that the employees will deposit the money with the Internal Revenue Service 50 A report from the Senate Finance Committee documented Geithner s errors 51 While working for IMF Geithner signed a tax worksheet stating his obligation of the U S Social Security tax which I will pay on my fund income 51 and another annual worksheet stating I wish to apply for tax allowance of U S federal and state income taxes and the difference between the self employed and employed obligation of the U S Social Security tax which I will pay on my Fund income 52 In a statement to the Senate panel considering his nomination Geithner called the tax issues careless avoidable and unintentional errors and he said he wanted to apologize to the committee for putting you in the position of having to spend so much time on these issues 47 Geithner testified that he used TurboTax to prepare his own return and that the tax errors are his own responsibility 53 The Washington Post quoted a tax expert who said that TurboTax has not been programmed to handle self employment taxes when the user identifies himself as being employed 54 Geithner said at the hearing that he was always under the impression that he was an employee not a self employed contractor 54 while he served as director of the Policy Development and Review Department of IMF 55 Commentator Michelle Malkin posted on her web site IRS employment application packets notify potential workers that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration vets all candidates and current employees who have violated or are violating laws rules or regulations related to the performance of their duties President elect Obama is standing by a nominee who would oversee the IRS but might not even qualify for a lesser job at the agency 56 Former Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich who also opposes his nomination said The IRS did not fine him Ask small businesses how many of them think they could avoid paying self employment Social Security and Medicare taxes for seven years and not be fined 48 Had he not been nominated for Treasury Secretary it s doubtful that he would have ever paid these taxes Republican Senator Lindsey Graham supported Geithner s nomination calling him very very competent and the right guy for Secretary of the Treasury 57 On January 26 2009 the U S Senate confirmed Geithner s appointment by a vote of 60 34 58 59 Geithner was sworn in as Treasury Secretary by Vice President Joe Biden and witnessed by President Obama 60 Geithner left the administration at the end of January 25 2013 61 62 Jack Lew 2013 2017 Edit Jack Lew On January 10 2013 Jacob Lew then the President s Chief of Staff was nominated as the replacement for retiring Treasury Secretary Geithner to serve in President Obama s second term 63 Lew s nomination was confirmed by the full Senate on Wednesday February 27 2013 by a vote of 71 to 26 64 65 At the White House on the next day Thursday February 28 Vice President Joe Biden swore in Lew as the 76th Secretary of the Treasury 66 67 Secretary of Defense Edit The Secretary of Defense designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the Senate Armed Services Committee Robert Gates 2006 2011 Edit Robert Gates Robert Gates assumed the office of Secretary of Defense on December 18 2006 under his predecessor then President George W Bush The retention of Gates fulfilled Obama s pledge made on the campaign trail to have a Republican in his Cabinet 68 On December 1 2008 President elect Obama announced that Robert Gates would remain in his position as Secretary of Defense during his administration 69 reportedly for at least the first year of Obama s presidency 70 Gates is the fourteenth Cabinet member in history to serve under two Presidents of different parties One of the first priorities under President Barack Obama s administration for Gates was a review of U S policy and strategy in Afghanistan 71 Gates sixth in the presidential line of succession was selected as designated survivor during Obama s inauguration 72 Leon Panetta 2011 2013 Edit Leon Panetta On April 18 2011 Leon Panetta the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency was nominated to replace Gates On June 21 2011 the United States Senate confirmed Panetta in a 100 0 vote 73 He took office on June 30 2011 Chuck Hagel 2013 2015 Edit Chuck Hagel Obama nominated former Senator Chuck Hagel R NE to succeed Leon Panetta and serve as his second term Secretary of Defense on January 7 2013 74 U S Senate nomination hearings begin on January 31 2013 75 On Tuesday February 26 2013 after debate in the full Senate had been closed by a vote of 71 to 27 Hagel s nomination was confirmed 58 41 1 not voting All the negative votes on each roll call came from Republican Senators while 18 Republicans voted for cloture of debate and 4 for final confirmation 76 77 78 He took office on February 27 2013 On November 24 2014 The New York Times reported that Hagel would be resigning from his position as Secretary of Defense under pressure from the Obama administration 79 Later that day President Obama announced Hagel s resignation and thanked him for his service 80 Hagel said in a statement You should know I did not make this decision lightly But after much discussion the President and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon 81 82 83 Hagel stayed on until the confirmation of his successor Ash Carter 2015 2017 Edit Ash Carter On December 5 2014 President Obama nominated former Deputy Secretary of Defense Ash Carter as his fourth Secretary of Defense 84 On February 12 2015 the Senate confirmed Carter in a 93 5 vote 85 Attorney General Edit The confirmation of the office of Attorney General is overseen by the Senate Judiciary Committee Eric Holder 2009 2015 Edit Eric Holder On December 1 2008 Obama announced that Eric Holder would be his nominee for Attorney General 69 86 Holder was formally nominated on January 20 2009 87 and approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28 88 Following his confirmation by the full Senate by a 75 21 vote on February 2 2009 he became the first African American Attorney General of the United States 89 90 In late 2007 Holder joined then United States Senator Barack Obama s presidential campaign as a senior legal advisor He served on Obama s vice presidential selection committee Holder favors closing the Guantanamo Bay detention camp 91 although he has said that the detainees are not technically entitled to Geneva convention protections 92 He is opposed to the Bush administration s implementation of the Patriot Act saying it is bad ultimately for law enforcement and will cost us the support of the American people 93 94 He has been critical of US torture policy and the NSA warrantless surveillance program accusing the Bush administration of a disrespect for the rule of law that is not only wrong it is destructive in our struggle against terrorism 95 During his confirmation hearings in the Senate Holder agreed with Senator Patrick Leahy Democrat of Vermont that a technique used by U S interrogators under the Bush administration known as waterboarding is torture 96 On September 25 2014 Holder announced that he would resign his post upon confirmation of a successor 97 Loretta Lynch 2015 2017 Edit Loretta Lynch On November 8 2014 President Barack Obama nominated U S Attorney Loretta Lynch to succeed Eric Holder as the next Attorney General of the United States 98 After a contentious nomination process the Senate confirmed Lynch on April 23 2015 in a 56 43 vote 99 Secretary of the Interior Edit The nomination of the Secretary of the Interior is presented to the full senate by the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources Ken Salazar 2009 2013 Edit Ken Salazar Ken Salazar assumed the office of Secretary of the Interior on January 21 2009 after a unanimous voice vote on the floor of the full Senate Colorado Gov Bill Ritter appointed Denver Superintendent of Schools Michael Bennet to replace Salazar and to finish his term in the Senate which expired in January 2011 Bennet was elected to a full term in 2010 Salazar was nominated as Secretary of the Interior on December 19 2008 100 His appointment required a Saxbe fix by Congress 101 On January 7 2009 Congress approved a bill S J Res 3 President Bush signed it into law providing such a fix by reducing the Secretary of Interior s salary to the level it was prior to the time Salazar took office in January 2009 The Senate confirmed Salazar s nomination by voice vote on January 20 2009 shortly after the swearing in of President Obama 102 As Secretary of the Interior Salazar is in charge of the National Park Service the Bureau of Land Management the United States Fish and Wildlife Service the United States Geological Survey and other federal agencies overseen by the Interior Department Salazar was one of two Hispanics in the Cabinet along with Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis of California There were three but on January 4 2009 Democratic New Mexico Gov Bill Richardson withdrew his name from the appointment of Secretary of Commerce Salazar is the second Hispanic Interior Secretary after Manuel Lujan Jr who held the post from 1989 to 1993 under President George H W Bush Several prominent environmentalist groups are wary of Salazar noting his strong ties with the coal and mining industries Kieran Suckling executive director of Center for Biological Diversity which tracks endangered species and habitat issues states He Ken Salazar is a right of center Democrat who often favors industry and big agriculture in battles over global warming fuel efficiency and endangered species 103 The nomination was praised however by Gene Karpinski President of the League of Conservation Voters Upon the nomination Karpinski said Throughout his career Senator Salazar has campaigned on a pledge of support for our land our water our people With a perfect 100 score on the 2008 LCV Scorecard he has lived up to that pledge As a westerner Senator Salazar has hands on experience with land and water issues and will restore the Department of the Interior s role as the steward of America s public resources We look forward to working with him to protect the health of America s land water and people in the coming years 104 Although Senate Republicans were expected to raise questions concerning Salazar s stances on oil shale development and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas 105 Salazar was one of several Obama Cabinet appointees confirmed in the Senate by voice vote on January 20 2009 shortly after Obama s inauguration Salazar became the 50th Secretary of the Interior succeeding Dirk Kempthorne who praised Salazar s appointment 106 On January 23 2009 Salazar has stated that he is considering reopening the Statue of Liberty s crown to tourists The crown has been closed to the public since the September 11 attacks I hope we can find a way Salazar said in a statement It would proclaim to the world both figuratively and literally that the path to the light of liberty is open to all 107 Sally Jewell 2013 2017 Edit Sally Jewell On January 16 2013 it was reported that Salazar would be leaving his post as Secretary of the Interior in March 2013 108 109 110 On February 6 2013 President Obama nominated the CEO of REI Sally Jewell as Secretary of the Interior 111 The Senate confirmed Jewell s nomination by an 87 11 vote on April 10 2013 112 Secretary of Agriculture Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Agriculture is brought to the full Senate by the Senate Agriculture Nutrition and Forestry Committee Tom Vilsack assumed the office of Secretary of Agriculture on January 21 2009 after a unanimous voice vote of the whole Senate Tom Vilsack 2009 2017 Edit Tom VilsackOn December 17 2008 then President elect Barack Obama announced his choice of Vilsack as the nominee to be the next Secretary of Agriculture 113 Vilsack has governed a farm state Iowa as did the previous two Secretaries of Agriculture Senator Mike Johanns 2005 2007 and Ed Schafer 2007 2009 Reaction to Vilsack s nomination from agricultural groups was largely positive and included endorsements from the Corn Refiners Association the National Grain and Feed Association the National Farmers Union the American Farm Bureau Federation and the Environmental Defense Fund 114 Opposition to the nomination came those who believed Vilsack has a preference for large industrial farms and genetically modified crops 115 as Iowa state governor he originated the seed pre emption bill in 2005 effectively blocking local communities from regulating where genetically engineered crops would be grown additionally Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor s Biotechnology Partnership and was named Governor of the Year by the Biotechnology Industry Organization an industry lobbying group 116 The Senate confirmed Vilsack s nomination for the position by unanimous consent on January 20 2009 117 Secretary of Commerce Edit Wikinews has related news Judd Gregg withdraws as US Commerce Secretary nominee The nomination of the Secretary of Commerce is brought to the full Senate by the Commerce Science and Transportation Committee Failed nomination of Bill Richardson 2009 Edit See also Unsuccessful nominations to the Cabinet of the United States Bill Richardson was nominated for the position of Secretary of Commerce on December 3 2008 118 Nevertheless due to federal investigation into some of his political donors he withdrew himself from the nomination on January 4 2009 118 Failed nomination of Judd Gregg 2009 Edit On February 3 2009 President Obama nominated New Hampshire Senator Judd Gregg a Republican The nomination initially drew criticism as it would likely give the Democrats in the Senate a super majority assuming Al Franken would be seated from Minnesota as he eventually was and the two independents regularly voted with the Democrats 119 Republican Senator Gregg would have been replaced by someone chosen by the state s Governor John Lynch a Democrat Initially Senator Mitch McConnell announced that he would prevent an attempt to achieve a super majority by the President After talks President Obama as well as Senator Gregg assured that it would not be used as an attempt to change the makeup of the Senate 120 On February 12 Senator Gregg announced that he had withdrawn from nomination citing his fundamental disagreement with the Obama administration on issues such as the stimulus package and the Census 121 Gary Locke 2009 2011 Edit Gary Locke Former Washington Governor Gary Locke was designated as the third Commerce nominee multiple media outlets reported on February 23 2009 An official announcement was made at a press conference with Locke and President Obama 122 After confirmation by a voice vote on March 24 123 Locke became the first Chinese American Secretary of Commerce and the third Asian American in Obama s cabinet joining Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki the most of any administration in United States history John Bryson 2011 2012 Edit John Bryson In May 2011 Obama appointed Locke as the new U S ambassador to China and nominated John Bryson as the next Secretary of Commerce 124 Citing Bryson s environmental views U S Sen James Inhofe R Oklahoma put a hold on his nomination in July 125 The Senate confirmed Bryson as Secretary of Commerce by a 74 26 vote on October 20 2011 73 He was sworn in on October 21 2011 Bryson took a leave of absence in June 2012 for medical tests due to seizures that were related to a hit and run On June 21 2012 Bryson resigned because the work that Commerce employees do to help America s entrepreneurs and businesses build our economy and create jobs is more important now than ever and I have come to the conclusion that I need to step down to prevent distractions from this critical mission 126 Deputy Secretary Rebecca Blank served as Acting Secretary of Commerce without Senate confirmation following Bryson s resignation in June 2012 until Penny Pritzker s confirmation in June 2013 Penny Pritzker 2013 2017 Edit Penny Pritzker On May 2 2013 President Obama announced the nomination of hotel magnate Penny Pritzker as Secretary of Commerce 127 On June 10 2013 the Commerce Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Pritzker s nomination 128 On June 25 2013 Pritzker was confirmed by the full Senate by a vote of 97 to 1 129 Secretary of Labor Edit The Secretary of Labor is confirmed through the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee Hilda Solis 2009 2013 Edit Solis speaks at the announcement of her being chosen as the new Secretary of Labor President elect Barack Obama looks on as does U S Trade Representative nominee Ron Kirk Hilda Solis assumed office as Secretary of Labor on February 24 2009 when she was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 80 17 although her confirmation hearings had been stalled due to Republican concerns over her support of the Employee Free Choice Act and her desire to reverse the Bush Administration s policies to the H 2A Guest Worker Act 130 and tax problems with her husband 131 On February 11 2009 Solis s nomination passed the committee phase 132 On December 18 2008 sources close to the Obama transition team identified Solis as the President elect s choice for U S Secretary of Labor the last cabinet position yet to be filled 133 134 The selection earned praise from the AFL CIO and other labor organizations but it brought dismay from business and anti labor groups 134 135 The official announcement was made by Obama on December 19 136 Her appointment required a Saxbe fix 137 Due to her confirmation Solis s successor Judy Chu was chosen in a special election in California s 32nd congressional district she declined to endorse any particular replacement candidate 138 Solis s confirmation hearings were held on January 9 2009 before the Senate Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee 139 Committee chair Ted Kennedy repeatedly praised her while despite some prodding from Republican members Solis declined to discuss specific policy issues including the Employee Free Choice Act 139 Several days later Senate Republicans said they might try to put a procedural hold on her nomination out of frustration with her unwillingness to answer questions during the hearings 140 Committee Republican Mike Enzi also pressed her on whether her unpaid but high level positions at American Rights at Work constituted a prohibited lobbying activity she said she had done no lobbying and was in violation of no rules of conduct 141 Solis did acknowledge that she had failed to report those positions on her annual House financial disclosure forms at the time which the White House said was an unintentional oversight 141 After more time passed with no motion on her nomination Obama appointed veteran Labor Department official Edward C Hugler as Acting Secretary 142 The prolonged process was seen as foreshadowing continued battles between the Obama administration and Republicans over labor issues 142 Solis s confirmation process was then set to for a committee vote on February 5 but was postponed again after news that Solis husband Sam Sayyad had just paid 6 400 in outstanding state and local tax liens for his auto repair business going back to 1993 131 143 Sayyad was sole proprietor of the business filed a separate tax return from Solis and intended to contest the lien as they were for business taxes he thought he had already paid 131 144 145 The White House said Solis should not be penalized for any mistakes that her husband may have made 131 The revelations came in the wake of several other Obama nominations troubled or derailed due to tax issues 131 Committee Republicans subsequently indicated they would not hold Solis to blame for the taxes situation but were still concerned about her ties to American Rights at Work 144 On February 11 2009 the committee finally supported her nomination by voice vote with two dissensions 146 Thomas Perez 2013 2017 Edit On January 9 2013 Hilda Solis announced she would not stay on for Obama s second term and that she was resigning 147 On March 18 2013 President Obama nominated assistant U S Attorney General Thomas Perez for labor secretary 148 Republicans opposed the nomination because they saw him as a committed ideologue On May 16 2013 Perez s nomination was endorsed by the committee along party lines The vote sent the nomination to the Senate floor 149 150 On July 18 2013 Perez was confirmed as labor secretary after senators reached a deal to avert changing the chamber s rules with his nomination getting 60 votes to break the filibuster The Senate ultimately confirmed Perez on a party line vote 54 46 151 Secretary of Health and Human Services Edit Kathleen Sebelius speaks after her nomination to be HHS Secretary The nomination of the Secretary of Health and Human Services is brought to the full Senate by the Senate Finance Committee though the nominee also historically meets with the United States Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions Failed nomination of Tom Daschle 2009 Edit Former Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle was President Obama s first nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services Daschle was paid 220 000 in speaking fees to Healthcare providers and was paid 16 million as an advisor to Healthcare lobbying groups in the time between his departure from the US Senate and his nomination 152 Daschle pulled his name from nomination on February 3 2009 153 Kathleen Sebelius 2009 2014 Edit On March 2 2009 President Barack Obama introduced Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius as his choice to fill the office of Secretary of Health and Human Services Sebelius was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 28 2009 on a vote of 65 31 154 amid the swine flu health crisis In April 2013 after the rocky start of HealthCare gov the website set up to enroll Americans in insurance exchanges Sebelius decided to resign as Secretary as according to Sebelius the March 31 2014 deadline for sign ups under the health care law provided an opportunity for change so that Obama would be best served by someone who was not the target of so much political ire 155 Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2014 2017 Edit After the resignation of Sebelius was announced it was revealed that on April 11 2014 President Obama would nominate Sylvia Mathews Burwell the director of the Office of Management and Budget to become Secretary of HHS 155 On June 5 2014 Burwell was confirmed by the Senate in a 78 17 vote 156 Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Banking Housing and Urban Affairs Shaun Donovan 2009 2014 Edit Shaun Donovan was confirmed as Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by the U S Senate on January 27 2009 by unanimous consent 157 In May 2014 the resignation of Secretary Sebelius at HHS caused a game of musical chairs with OMB director Burwell being nominated to succeed Sebelius which in turn on May 23 2014 lead to the nomination of HUD Secretary Donovan to become the new director of the OMB 158 Julian Castro 2014 2017 Edit After President Obama decided to nominate Secretary Donovan as the new Director of the OMB on May 23 2014 Obama nominated the mayor of San Antonio Julian Castro to become the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development 158 On July 9 2014 the Senate voted to confirm Castro by a 71 26 vote with 18 Republicans voting in favor of the nomination 159 Secretary of Transportation Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Transportation is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Commerce Science and Transportation LaHood Being Sworn in as Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood 2009 2013 Edit On December 19 2008 then President elect Barack Obama announced that he would nominate former Republican Congressman Ray LaHood to be the next Transportation Secretary He was confirmed by a voice vote on January 23 2009 160 President Obama said of LaHood Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant that I m asking to lead the Department of Transportation 161 LaHood s nomination was viewed with alarm among those concerned with climate change and suburban sprawl 162 163 164 His resume on transportation matters is seen as thin by many critics He did not serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the time his selection was announced although he had in the past As a member of the House Appropriations Committee he did not work on transportation funding 165 While picking LaHood drew praise for its bipartisan symbolism there was also a sense that LaHood s lack of expertise would diminish the department s role in 2009 major policy debates and leave him as more of a ceremonial figure James Oberstar the Democratic Congressman who chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was expected to hold more influence and will likely play a stronger leading role Oberstar praised LaHood s temperament and managerial talent but when asked to cite an issue LaHood championed during his time on the Transportation Committee in the 1990s Oberstar seemingly drew a blank I can t point to any specific legislation that he authored he said He was a team player all the way through Oberstar said LaHood would play a supporting role on tough policy calls 166 On January 29 2013 LaHood announced that he would not stay on for Obama s second term and that he would resign upon the confirmation of his successor 167 Anthony Foxx 2013 2017 Edit Anthony Foxx Mayor of Charlotte North Carolina was nominated by President Barack Obama on April 29 2013 to succeed Ray LaHood 168 On June 10 2013 the Commerce Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Foxx s nomination 128 On June 27 2013 Foxx was unanimously 100 0 confirmed by the U S Senate 169 Foxx was sworn in on July 2 as the 17th Secretary of Transportation 170 Secretary of Energy Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Energy is brought to the full US Senate by the Energy and Natural Resources Committee Steven Chu 2009 2013 Edit Nobel Prize winning scientist Steven Chu was unanimously confirmed by the U S Senate on January 20 2009 171 On January 21 2009 Chu was sworn in as Secretary of Energy in the Barack Obama administration Chu is the first person appointed to the Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize He is also the second Chinese American to be a member of the Cabinet after Elaine Chao 172 Ernest Moniz 2013 2017 Edit On February 1 2013 Secretary Chu announced his resignation pending the confirmation of a successor 173 On March 4 2013 President Obama announced he was nominating Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy for his second term 174 On April 18 2013 the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 21 1 to approve the nomination of Moniz 175 On May 16 2013 Moniz was unanimously confirmed by the U S Senate 176 Secretary of Education Edit Arne Duncan testifying to the US Senate Committee on Health Education Labor and Pensions The nomination of the Secretary of Education is brought to the full Senate through the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee Arne Duncan was confirmed as Secretary of Education on January 21 2009 by a voice vote 177 Arne Duncan 2009 2015 Edit President Obama nominated Arne Duncan on December 16 2008 to be his Secretary of Education In a prepared statement Obama praised Duncan s skills stating For Arne school reform isn t just a theory in a book it s the cause of his life And the results aren t just about test scores or statistics but about whether our children are developing the skills they need to compete with any worker in the world for any job 178 Duncan received broad bipartisan support during his confirmation hearing in front of the Health Education Labor and Pensions Committee on January 13 2009 Senator Tom Harkin D Iowa said of Duncan there is no question that schools across America can benefit from the same kind of fresh thinking that he brought to Chicago public schools 179 On October 2 2015 Duncan announced he would be stepping down as Secretary at the close of 2015 180 John King Jr 2016 2017 Edit Upon the announcement of Duncan s stepping down President Obama announced his intention to nominate Deputy Secretary of Education John King Jr as the new Secretary of Education 181 On March 14 2016 King was approved to be Secretary of Education by the United States Senate after a 49 40 vote 182 Secretary of Veterans Affairs Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Veterans Affairs is brought to the full Senate by the United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki 2009 2014 Edit Eric Shinseki was confirmed by the U S Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 20 2009 177 On May 30 2014 President Obama announced that he had accepted Shinseki s resignation as secretary 183 184 Robert McDonald 2014 2017 Edit On June 29 2014 it was reported that U S President Barack Obama would nominate former Procter amp Gamble executive Robert A McDonald to succeed General Eric Shinseki as the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 185 On July 23 2014 the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs backed McDonald 14 0 sending his nomination to the Senate floor 186 On July 29 2014 the Senate confirmed McDonald in a 97 0 vote 187 Secretary of Homeland Security Edit The nomination of the Secretary of Homeland Security is brought to the United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Janet Napolitano 2009 2013 Edit Janet Napolitano was confirmed by the U S Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of Secretary of Homeland Security on January 21 2009 177 On November 5 2008 Napolitano was named to the advisory board of the Obama Biden Transition Project 188 On December 1 2008 Barack Obama introduced Napolitano as his nominee to head the United States Department of Homeland Security DHS 69 189 On January 20 2009 Napolitano was confirmed becoming the first woman appointed Secretary in the relatively new department Secretary of State Jan Brewer became the governor of Arizona as the state does not have a lieutenant governor On July 12 2013 Napolitano announced she was resigning to take a position as President of the University of California 190 Her resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security took effect on September 6 2013 and Rand Beers served as Acting Secretary from that date until Jeh Johnson s confirmation as Secretary in December Beers had been then Acting Deputy Secretary and he retained his Senate confirmation in the position immediately below as Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs Beers left DHS on March 6 2014 to join the White House staff Jeh Johnson 2013 2017 Edit On October 17 2013 President Obama announced his intention to nominate former Pentagon official Jeh Johnson as Secretary of Homeland Security 191 On December 16 2013 Johnson was confirmed by the Senate in a 78 16 vote 192 Nominated candidates for Cabinet level positions EditPresident Obama has included members of his cabinet that are not traditionally considered members of the Cabinet Chief of Staff Edit See also 2009 Illinois s 5th congressional district special election Barack Obama and Rahm Emanuel in the Oval Office On November 6 2008 Rahm Emanuel accepted the Cabinet level position of White House Chief of Staff under Barack Obama He resigned his congressional seat effective January 2 2009 193 A special primary to fill his vacated congressional seat was held on March 3 2009 and the special general election was held on April 7 2009 194 195 Chicago newspapers reported that one candidate for that seat said at a forum that Emanuel had told him he may be interested in running for the seat again in the future 196 Some Republican leaders criticized Rahm Emanuel s appointment because they believed it went against Obama s promises to make politics less divisive given Emanuel s reputation as a partisan Democrat Republican Lindsey Graham disagreed saying This is a wise choice by President elect Obama He s tough but fair honest direct and candid 197 Ira Forman executive director of the National Jewish Democratic Council said that the choice indicates that Obama will not listen to the wrong people regarding the U S Israel relationship Some commentators opined that Emanuel would be good for the Israeli Palestinian peace process because if Israeli leaders make excuses for not dismantling settlements Emanuel will be tough and pressure the Israelis to comply 198 Some Palestinians and Arabs expressed dismay at Obama s appointment of Emanuel 199 Ali Abunimah of the Electronic Intifada said that Obama s appointment of Emanuel sent the signal he would not be taking more balanced more objective more realistic advice that could change the course from the disastrous Palestine Israel policies of the Bush and Clinton administrations 200 Emanuel said that Obama did not need his influence to orientate his policy toward Israel 201 Emanuel left office on October 1 2010 to be replaced on an interim basis by Pete Rouse and was elected Mayor of Chicago the following February William M Daley became White House Chief of Staff on January 13 2011 when interim Chief Pete Rouse was made legal Counselor to the President A year later on January 9 2012 Daley announced his intention to retire in favor of Jack Lew Budget Director since November 2010 Lew took office on January 27 2012 but he too left the job a year later on January 25 2013 when he was nominated to be Secretary of the Treasury see above From January 25 2013 until January 20 2017 the Chief of Staff was Denis McDonough formerly the Deputy National Security Advisor Director of the Office of the Budget Edit Peter Orszag 2009 2010 Edit On November 25 2008 President elect Barack Obama announced that Peter R Orszag would be his nominee for director of the Office of Management and Budget the arm of the White House responsible for crafting the federal budget and overseeing the effectiveness of federal programs 202 203 At 40 he was the youngest member of the Obama Cabinet as the president upgraded the Director of OMB to cabinet level priority Jack Lew 2010 2012 Edit Orszag resigned effective from July 30 2010 On July 13 2010 the White House announced that Jack Lew had been chosen to replace Orszag as Director of OMB subject to Senate confirmation 204 During confirmation hearings in the Senate in response to questioning by Senator Bernie Sanders I VT Lew said that he did not believe deregulation was a proximate cause of the financial crisis of 2007 2008 Lew told the panel that the problems in the financial industry preceded deregulation and after discussing those issues added that he didn t personally know the extent to which deregulation drove it but I don t believe that deregulation was the proximate cause 205 206 On November 18 2010 Lew was confirmed by the Senate by unanimous consent Jack Lew served from November 18 2010 January 27 2012 when he resigned to become Obama s White House Chief of Staff Following Lew s resignation Jeffrey Zients served as Acting OMB Director until Sylvia Mathews Burwell s confirmation 15 months later Sylvia Mathews Burwell 2013 2014 Edit On March 3 2013 it was announced that President Obama nominated Sylvia Mathews Burwell to head the OMB 207 On April 24 2013 the U S Senate confirmed Burwell 96 0 208 Shaun Donovan 2014 2017 Edit In May 2014 the resignation of Secretary Sebelius at HHS caused a game of musical chairs with OMB director Burwell being nominated to succeed Sebelius which in turn on May 23 2014 lead to the nomination of HUD Secretary Donovan to become the new director of the OMB 158 On July 10 2014 Donovan was confirmed as Director of the OMB in a 75 22 vote 209 Ambassador to the United Nations Edit Susan Rice 2009 2013 Edit On November 5 2008 Susan Rice was named to the advisory board of the Obama Biden Transition Project 210 On December 1 2008 she was nominated by President elect Obama to be the U S Ambassador to the United Nations 69 86 a position which he also upgraded to cabinet level 211 Rice is the second youngest 211 and the first African American woman US Representative to the UN 212 Dr Rice announced that she would have both a transition team in place in New York and in Washington DC at the State Department to be headed by Hillary Clinton Rice was confirmed by the Senate by voice vote on January 22 2009 Samantha Power 2013 2017 Edit On June 5 2013 President Obama announced that he would appoint Susan Rice as National Security Advisor in succession to Tom Donilon Rice in turn would be replaced as Ambassador to the United Nations by Samantha Power 213 On July 23 2013 the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Power s nomination 214 On August 1 2013 the Senate confirmed Power in an 87 10 vote 215 Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Edit Lisa P Jackson 2009 2013 Edit On December 15 2008 President Elect Barack Obama officially designated Lisa P Jackson as the nominee for Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency 216 She was confirmed through unanimous consent of the U S Senate on January 23 2009 217 Jackson is the first African American to serve as EPA Administrator along with being the fourth woman and second New Jerseyan to hold the position 218 Gina McCarthy 2013 2017 Edit Lisa Jackson decided not to stay for Obama s second term On March 4 2013 President Obama announced he was nominating Gina McCarthy as EPA Administrator for his second term 174 On May 9 2013 all eight Republicans on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee boycotted the panel in order to deny a vote on Gina McCarthy s nomination to head the EPA 219 On May 16 2013 McCarthy s nomination was endorsed by the committee along party lines The vote sends McCarthy s nomination to the Senate floor However Sen Roy Blunt R Mo placed a hold on her nomination which had to be withdrawn before a floor vote occurred 220 On July 18 2013 McCarthy was confirmed as EPA administrator after senators reached a deal to avert changing the chamber s rules and which saw the Senate vote to move forward with a vote on McCarthy with her nomination getting 69 votes to break the filibuster The Senate ultimately confirmed McCarthy on a 59 40 vote 221 Trade Representative Edit Ron Kirk 2009 2013 Edit Although there was speculation that Ron Kirk would be appointed Secretary of Transportation by President Obama he was given the position of Trade Representative 222 As a supporter of the North American Free Trade Agreement his selection has drawn concern from advocates of fair trade policies 223 On January 22 2013 Kirk announced that he would be stepping down as U S Trade Rep 224 225 His resignation became effective March 15 2013 Michael Froman 2013 2017 Edit On May 2 2013 President Obama announced the nomination of deputy national security adviser for international economics Michael Froman as Trade Representative 127 On June 11 2013 the Senate Finance Committee approved Froman s nomination 226 On June 19 2013 Froman was confirmed by the U S Senate in a 93 to 4 vote 227 Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers Edit Christina Romer 2009 2010 Edit On November 24 2008 President Barack Obama designated Christina Romer as Chair of the Council of Economic Advisers upon the start of his administration 228 229 After her nomination and before the Obama administration took office Romer was tasked with co authoring the administration s plan to recover from the 2008 recession With economist Jared Bernstein Romer co authored Obama s plan for economic recovery 230 In a video presentation 231 she discussed details of the job creation package that the Obama administration submitted to Congress Austan Goolsbee 2010 2011 Edit Romer resigned in September 2010 to return to positions in academia 232 Austan Goolsbee was designated chair of the Council on September 10 2010 succeeding Christina Romer 233 On June 6 2011 Goolsbee announced that he would return to the University of Chicago claiming that the economy was a million miles from where it started 234 He was expected to play an informal role from Chicago in Obama s 2012 campaign Goolsbee s resignation became effective August 5 2011 235 Alan Krueger 2011 2013 Edit On August 29 2011 Alan Krueger was nominated by Obama to be chairman of the White House Council of Economic Advisers 236 237 and on November 3 2011 the Senate unanimously confirmed his nomination 238 Jason Furman 2013 2017 Edit As Krueger had to return to Princeton University in the fall of 2013 or face the prospect of losing tenure he chose to resign as chair 239 On June 10 2013 Jason Furman was named by President Barack Obama as Chairman of the Council of Economic Advisors CEA 240 On August 1 2013 the Senate confirmed Furman 241 Administrator of the Small Business Administration Edit Karen Mills 2009 2013 Edit Karen Mills was nominated by President elect Barack Obama on December 19 2008 confirmed unanimously by the Senate on April 2 2009 and sworn in on April 6 2009 242 243 During her tenure in 2012 her office was elevated to the rank of Cabinet level officer expanding her power on policy decisions and granting her access to cabinet meetings 244 On February 11 2013 Mills announced her resignation as Administrator of the SBA 245 246 Maria Contreras Sweet 2014 2017 Edit On January 15 2014 Maria Contreras Sweet was nominated by President Barack Obama to join his Cabinet as head of the Small Business Administration 247 Contreras Sweet was confirmed as the Administrator of the Small Business Administration by voice vote on March 27 2014 248 She assumed role of her position as Administrator of the Small Business Administration on April 7 2014 249 Formerly Cabinet level EditDirector of the Office of National Drug Control Policy Edit On February 11 2009 it was reported that Gil Kerlikowske had accepted an offer by President Obama to become Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy succeeding John P Walters 250 On May 7 2009 the Senate confirmed Kerlikowske s nomination by a vote of 91 1 251 However prior to Kerlikowske s nomination the position was downgraded from a Cabinet level position to a non Cabinet level position 252 See also EditFirst inauguration of Barack Obama Second inauguration of Barack Obama Presidential transition of Barack ObamaNotes Edit Biden held the chairmanship from January 3 to January 20 then was succeeded by Jesse Helms until June 6 and thereafter held the position until 2003References Edit The Cabinet whitehouse gov December 9 2014 Retrieved June 19 2021 Barack Obama The 44th President of the United States The 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