Senate’s Role in Confirmation of Political Appointees

This book is an overview of the confirmation process of political appointees. As part of the process of making an appointment to an advice and consent position, the President usually submits a nomination to the Senate. The Senate’s executive clerk refers the nomination to the appropriate committee or committees on the day it is received. Most nominations are referred to one committee. For some positions, a nomination or series of nominations to a position are referred to more than one committee, pursuant to a standing order, a UC agreement, or a statutory provision. This book identifies, by Senate committee, presidentially appointed positions requiring Senate confirmation based on referrals as of October 31, 2007. Where nominations have been referred to more than one committee, the organisations and titles are noted under each of the committees to which the nominations were referred. The lists also include the lengths of fixed terms, where applicable. Some required commissions, councils, and other multi-member entities are included by their enabling statutes, to maintain political balance in some way.