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Cabinet of Joe Biden

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Biden Cabinet
Flag of the United States.svg
Cabinet of the United States
2021–present
Joe Biden
Cabinet of President Joe Biden in April 2021
Date formedJanuary 20, 2021 (2021-01-20)
People and organizations
PresidentJoe Biden
President's history2021–present
Vice PresidentKamala Harris
Total no. of members24 (incl. Cabinet-level members)
Member party  Democratic Party
Status in legislatureMajority government
Opposition party  Republican Party
History
Election(s)2020 United States presidential election
Legislature term(s)117th United States Congress
Budget(s)2021 budget
Advice and consentUnited States Senate
PredecessorCabinet of Donald Trump

Joe Biden assumed office as President of the United States on January 20, 2021. 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.

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 2020 United States presidential election.

In addition to the fifteen heads of executive departments, there are nine Cabinet-level officials. Biden altered his cabinet structure, elevating the chair of the Council of Economic Advisers,[1] director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy[2] and ambassador to the United Nations as Cabinet-level positions.[3] Biden removed the director of the Central Intelligence Agency from his Cabinet.[4]

Confirmations had occurred at the slowest pace of any presidential cabinet in modern history that resulted from delays in facilitating an orderly transition of power and passing the organizing resolution for governing an evenly split Senate following the 2020–2021 United States Senate run-off elections in Georgia; and the second impeachment of Donald Trump.[5] By March 2021, a pick-up in the first half of the month brought confirmations close to pace.[6] Biden is the first president since Ronald Reagan in 1981 to have all of his original Cabinet secretary nominees confirmed to their posts.[7]

This page documents the confirmation process for Cabinet nominees of Joe Biden's administration. They are listed according to the United States order of precedence.

Announced nominees

All permanent members of the Cabinet of the United States as heads of executive departments require the advice and consent of the United States Senate following appointment by the president before taking office. The vice presidency is exceptional in that the position requires an election to office pursuant to the United States Constitution. The president may also designate heads of other agencies and non-Senate-confirmed members of the Executive Office of the President as Cabinet-level members of the Cabinet. The Cabinet meets with the president in the Cabinet Room, a room adjacent to the Oval Office.

The following have been named as Cabinet appointees by the president of the United States.[8]

Cabinet members

Cabinet of President Joe Biden
  Elected to office – all other cabinet members serve at the pleasure of the president
  Yet to be confirmed by the Senate
  Serving in an acting capacity
  No Senate consent needed
Office
Date announced / confirmed
Designee Office
Date announced / confirmed
Designee
Seal of the Vice President of the United States.svg

Vice President of the United States
Announced August 11, 2020
Elected November 3, 2020
Assumed office January 20, 2021

Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait (cropped).jpg
Former U.S. Senator
Kamala Harris
of California
Seal of the United States Secretary of State.svg

Secretary of State
Announced November 23, 2020
Assumed office January 26, 2021

Secretary Blinken's Official Department Photo (cropped).jpg
Former Deputy Secretary
Antony Blinken
of New York
US-DeptOfTheTreasury-Seal.svg

Secretary of the Treasury
Announced November 30, 2020
Assumed office January 26, 2021

Secretary Janet Yellen portrait (cropped).jpg
Former Federal Reserve Chair
Janet Yellen
of California
United States Department of Defense Seal.svg

Secretary of Defense
Announced December 8, 2020
Assumed office January 22, 2021

Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (50885754687) (cropped).jpg
Retired General
Lloyd Austin
of Georgia
US-DeptOfJustice-Seal.svg

Attorney General
Announced January 7, 2021
Assumed office March 11, 2021

Attorney General Merrick Garland (cropped).jpg
Former Circuit Judge
Merrick Garland
of Maryland
US-DeptOfTheInterior-Seal.svg

Secretary of the Interior
Announced December 17, 2020
Assumed office March 16, 2021

SecretaryDebHaaland (cropped 2).jpg
Former U.S. Representative
Deb Haaland
of New Mexico
US-DeptOfAgriculture-Seal2.svg

Secretary of Agriculture
Announced December 10, 2020
Assumed office February 24, 2021

20210427-OSEC-TEW-001 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (51148817903) (cropped).jpg
Former Secretary
Tom Vilsack
of Iowa
US-DeptOfCommerce-Seal.svg

Secretary of Commerce
Announced January 7, 2021
Assumed office March 3, 2021

Secretary Gina Raimondo (cropped).jpg
Former Governor
Gina Raimondo
of Rhode Island
US-DeptOfLabor-Seal.svg

Secretary of Labor
Announced January 7, 2021
Assumed office March 23, 2021

Secretary Marty Walsh (cropped).jpg
Former Mayor
Marty Walsh
of Massachusetts
Seal of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.svg

Secretary of Health and Human Services
Announced December 7, 2020
Assumed office March 19, 2021

Xavier Becerra official portrait (cropped).jpg
Former California Attorney General
Xavier Becerra
of California
US-DeptOfHUD-Seal.svg

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development
Announced December 10, 2020
Assumed office March 10, 2021

Secretary Fudge official photo (cropped).png
Former U.S. Representative
Marcia Fudge
of Ohio
Seal of the United States Department of Transportation - Alternate Version.svg

Secretary of Transportation
Announced December 15, 2020
Assumed office February 3, 2021

Pete Buttigieg official photo (cropped).jpg
Former Mayor
Pete Buttigieg
of Indiana
Seal of the United States Department of Energy.svg

Secretary of Energy
Announced December 17, 2020
Assumed office February 25, 2021

Secretary Jennifer Granholm (cropped).jpg
Former Governor
Jennifer Granholm
of Michigan
US-DeptOfEducation-Seal.svg

Secretary of Education
Announced December 22, 2020
Assumed office March 2, 2021

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, official portrait (cropped).jpg
Former Education Commissioner
Miguel Cardona
of Connecticut
Seal of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.svg

Secretary of Veterans Affairs
Announced December 10, 2020
Assumed office February 9, 2021

Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg
Former White House Chief of Staff
Denis McDonough
of Maryland
Seal of the United States Department of Homeland Security.svg

Secretary of Homeland Security
Announced November 23, 2020
Assumed office February 2, 2021

Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg
Former Deputy Secretary
Alejandro Mayorkas
of the District of Columbia

Cabinet-level officials

Office

Date announced / confirmed

Designee Office

Date announced / confirmed

Designee
Environmental Protection Agency logo.svg

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Announced December 17, 2020
Assumed office March 11, 2021

Michael S. Regan official photo (cropped).jpg
Former Secretary of Environmental Quality
Michael S. Regan
of North Carolina
US-OfficeOfManagementAndBudget-Seal.svg

Director of the Office of Management and Budget
Announced March 2, 2021
Assumed office March 24, 2021

Shalanda Young 2016.jpg
Deputy Director
Shalanda Young
of Louisiana
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence.svg

Director of National Intelligence
Announced November 23, 2020
Assumed office January 21, 2021

Avril-Haines (cropped).jpg
Former Deputy National Security Advisor
Avril Haines
of New York
US-TradeRepresentative-Seal.svg

United States Trade Representative
Announced December 10, 2020
Assumed office March 18, 2021

Katherine Tai, official portrait.jpg
Former Chief Trade Counsel of the House Ways and Means Committee
Katherine Tai
of the District of Columbia
U.S. Department of State official seal.svg

United States Ambassador to the United Nations
Announced November 23, 2020
Assumed office February 25, 2021

Linda-Thomas-Greenfield-v1-8x10-1.jpg
Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs
Linda Thomas-Greenfield
of Louisiana
Council of Economic Advisers.png

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Announced November 30, 2020
Assumed office March 12, 2021

Cecilia Rouse July 10 2021.jpg
Former Dean of the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs
Cecilia Rouse
of New Jersey
US-SmallBusinessAdmin-Seal.svg

Administrator of the Small Business Administration
Announced January 7, 2021
Assumed office March 17, 2021

Administrator Isabel Guzman.png
Former Director of the Office of Small Business Advocate
Isabel Guzman
of California
US-OfficeOfScienceAndTechnologyPolicy-Seal.svg

Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Science Advisor to the President
Announced January 15, 2021
Assumed office June 2, 2021

Dr Eric Lander-600x400 (cropped).jpg
Former Director of the Broad Institute
Eric Lander
of Massachusetts
US-WhiteHouse-Logo.svg

White House Chief of Staff
Announced November 12, 2020
Assumed office January 20, 2021

RonKlain-600x400 (cropped).jpg
Former Chief of Staff to the Vice President
Ron Klain
of Indiana


Confirmation process

Below is a list of confirmations for Cabinet positions, Cabinet-level positions, and other significant positions that were approved through the Senate from January 2021 onwards, by a recorded roll-call vote, rather than by a voice vote.

Timeline

Eric LanderIsabel GuzmanCecilia RouseLinda Thomas-GreenfieldKatherine TaiAvril HainesNeera TandenMichael S. ReganAlejandro MayorkasDenis McDonoughMiguel CardonaJennifer GranholmPete ButtigiegMarcia FudgeXavier BecerraMarty Walsh (politician)Gina RaimondoTom VilsackDeb HaalandMerrick GarlandLloyd AustinJanet YellenAntony Blinken

Confirmation votes

Senate confirmation votes of President Joe Biden's cabinet

Affiliation: D denotes Democratic, R denotes Republican, and I-D denotes an independent who caucuses with Democrats.

Committee process

Office Nominee State Announced Committee Hearing date(s) Committee vote result Committee vote date Cloture vote result Cloture vote date Floor vote result Floor vote date Assumed office
Secretary of State Antony Blinken NY November 23, 2020 Foreign Relations January 19, 2021 15–3 January 25, 2021 N/A N/A 78–22 January 26, 2021 January 26, 2021
Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen CA November 30, 2020 Finance January 19, 2021 Unanimous January 22, 2021 N/A N/A 84–15 January 25, 2021 January 26, 2021
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin GA December 8, 2020 Armed Services (House)
Waiver
January 21, 2021 Unanimous January 21, 2021 N/A N/A 326–78 January 21, 2021 January 22, 2021
Armed Services (Senate)
Waiver
January 21, 2021 Unanimous January 21, 2021 69–27 January 21, 2021[a]
Armed Services
Confirmation
January 19, 2021 Unanimous January 21, 2021 93–2 January 22, 2021
Attorney General Merrick Garland MD January 7, 2021 Judiciary February 22, 2021
February 23, 2021
15–7 March 1, 2021 70–29 March 9, 2021 70–30 March 10, 2021 March 11, 2021
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland NM December 17, 2020 Energy and Natural Resources February 23, 2021 11–9 March 4, 2021 54–42 March 11, 2021 51–40 March 15, 2021 March 16, 2021
Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack IA December 10, 2020 Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry February 2, 2021 Unanimous February 2, 2021 N/A N/A 92–7 February 23, 2021 February 24, 2021
Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo RI January 7, 2021 Commerce, Science and Transportation January 26, 2021 21–3 February 3, 2021 84–15 March 1, 2021 84–15 March 2, 2021 March 3, 2021
Secretary of Labor Marty Walsh MA January 7, 2021 Health, Education, Labor and Pensions February 4, 2021 18–4 February 11, 2021 68–30 March 18, 2021 68–29 March 22, 2021 March 23, 2021
Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra CA December 7, 2020 Health, Education, Labor and Pensions February 23, 2021 Consultative N/A 50–49 March 17, 2021 50–49 March 18, 2021 March 19, 2021
Finance February 24, 2021 14–14[b] March 3, 2021
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Marcia Fudge OH December 10, 2020 Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs January 28, 2021 17–7 February 4, 2021 69–30 March 9, 2021 66–34 March 10, 2021 March 10, 2021
Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg IN December 15, 2020 Commerce, Science and Transportation January 21, 2021 21–3 January 27, 2021 N/A N/A 86–13 February 2, 2021 February 3, 2021
Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm MI December 17, 2020 Energy and Natural Resources January 27, 2021 13–4 February 3, 2021 67–32 February 24, 2021 64–35 February 25, 2021 February 25, 2021
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona CT December 22, 2020 Health, Education, Labor and Pensions February 3, 2021 17–5 February 11, 2021 66–32 February 25, 2021 64–33 March 1, 2021 March 2, 2021
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Denis McDonough MD December 10, 2020 Veterans' Affairs January 27, 2021 Unanimous February 2, 2021 N/A N/A 87–7 February 8, 2021 February 9, 2021
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas DC November 23, 2020 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs January 19, 2021 7–4 January 26, 2021 55–42 January 28, 2021 56–43 February 2, 2021 February 2, 2021
Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency Michael Regan NC December 17, 2020 Environment and Public Works February 3, 2021 14–6 February 9, 2021 65–35 March 10, 2021 66–34 March 10, 2021 March 11, 2021
Director of the Office of Management and Budget Neera Tanden MA November 30, 2020 Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs February 9, 2021 Withdrawal announced March 2, 2021, officially submitted on March 25, 2021[c]
Budget February 10, 2021
TBD TBD TBD Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs TBD Pending TBD TBD TBD Pending TBD TBD
Budget TBD Pending TBD
Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines NY November 23, 2020 Intelligence January 19, 2021 Unanimous January 20, 2021 N/A N/A 84–10 January 20, 2021 January 21, 2021
Trade Representative Katherine Tai DC December 10, 2020 Finance February 25, 2021 Unanimous March 3, 2021 98–0 March 16, 2021 98–0 March 17, 2021 March 18, 2021
Ambassador to the United Nations Linda Thomas-
Greenfield
LA November 23, 2020 Foreign Relations January 27, 2021 18–4 February 4, 2021 75–20 February 22, 2021 78–20 February 23, 2021 February 25, 2021
Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors Cecilia Rouse NJ November 30, 2020 Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs January 28, 2021 Unanimous February 4, 2021 94–5 March 2, 2021 95–4 March 2, 2021 March 12, 2021
Administrator of the Small Business Administration Isabel Guzman CA January 7, 2021 Small Business and Entrepreneurship February 3, 2021 15–5 February 24, 2021 80–18 March 16, 2021 81–17 March 16, 2021 March 17, 2021
Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy Eric Lander MA January 15, 2021 Commerce, Science and Transportation April 29, 2021 22–6 May 20, 2021 N/A N/A Unanimous May 28, 2021 June 2, 2021

Notes

  1. ^ After final passage, Austin's waiver to serve as Secretary of Defense was signed into law by President Biden on January 22, 2021.
  2. ^ Due to the tied vote in committee, a discharge petition was required to bring Becerra's nomination to the floor, which passed 51–48 on March 11, 2021.
  3. ^ Committee votes scheduled for February 24, 2021, were cancelled that day, prior to withdrawal.

Elected officials

President

On November 7, 2020, it was announced that Democrat Joe Biden defeated the incumbent president, Donald Trump, in the 2020 presidential election. Joe Biden received 306 electoral votes compared to Trump's 232 electoral votes, with 270 needed to win the presidency. He assumed office on January 20, 2021.

hidePresident of the United States
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Joe Biden presidential portrait (cropped).jpg Joe Biden November 20, 1942
(age 78)
[9]

Vice President

Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA) was elected vice president of the United States, receiving 306 electoral votes, compared to the incumbent vice president, Mike Pence, who received 232 electoral votes. An elected vice president does not require Senate confirmation, and the vice president does not serve at the president's pleasure.

Having assumed office on January 20, 2021, she is the first female vice president of the United States as well as the first African American and Asian American to hold the second-highest office.

hideVice President of the United States
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Kamala Harris Vice Presidential Portrait (cropped).jpg Kamala Harris October 20, 1964
(age 56)
[10]

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

A nomination for Secretary of State is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Foreign Relations Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Foreign Relations Committee hearing held on January 19, 2021, and approved 15–3 on January 25, 2021. Confirmed 78–22 and sworn in on January 26, 2021.[11]
hideSecretary of State
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Blinken's Official Department Photo (cropped).jpg Antony Blinken April 16, 1962
(age 59)
[12]

Secretary of the Treasury

A nomination for Secretary of the Treasury is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Finance Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Finance Committee hearing held on January 19, 2021, and approved by unanimous consent on January 22, 2021. Confirmed 84–15 on January 25, 2021, and sworn in on January 26, 2021.[13]
hideSecretary of the Treasury
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Janet Yellen portrait (cropped).jpg Janet Yellen August 13, 1946
(age 75)
[14]

Secretary of Defense

A nomination for Secretary of Defense is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Armed Services Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote. Biden's announced nominee, retired Gen. Lloyd Austin, required a congressional waiver to be granted under the National Security Act of 1947 before he was confirmed.[15]

Waiver process:

  • House Armed Services Committee closed-door briefing held and approved without objection on January 21, 2021. Floor vote passed 326–78 on January 21, 2021.
  • Senate Armed Services Committee hearing held and approved by voice vote on January 21, 2021. Floor vote passed 69–27 on January 21, 2021.
  • Signed into law on January 22, 2021.[16]

Confirmation process:

  • Armed Services Committee hearing held on January 19, 2021, and approved by unanimous consent on January 21, 2021. Confirmed 93–2 and sworn in on January 22, 2021.[17]
hideSecretary of Defense
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Defense Secretary Lloyd J. Austin III (50885754687) (cropped).jpg Lloyd Austin August 8, 1953
(age 68)
[18]

Attorney General

A nomination for Attorney General is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Judiciary Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Judiciary Committee hearings held on February 22–23, 2021, and approved 15–7 on March 1, 2021. Cloture invoked 70–29 on March 9, 2021. Confirmed 70–30 on March 10, 2021, and sworn in on March 11, 2021.[19]
hideAttorney General
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Attorney General Merrick Garland (cropped).jpg Merrick Garland November 13, 1952
(age 68)
  • Chief Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (2013–2020)
  • Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit (1997–2021)
[20]

Secretary of the Interior

A nomination for Secretary of the Interior is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote. Biden reportedly offered the position to Governor Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, but she turned it down.[21]

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held on February 23, 2021, and approved 11–9 on March 4, 2021. Cloture invoked 54–42 on March 11, 2021. Confirmed 51–40 on March 15, 2021, and sworn in on March 16, 2021.[22]
hideSecretary of the Interior
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
SecretaryDebHaaland (cropped 2).jpg Deb Haaland December 2, 1960
(age 60)
  • U.S. Representative for NM-01 (2019–2021)
  • Chair of the New Mexico Democratic Party (2015–2017)
  • Democratic nominee for Lieutenant Governor of New Mexico (2014)
[23]

Secretary of Agriculture

A nomination for Secretary of Agriculture is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee hearing held and approved by unanimous consent on February 2, 2021. Confirmed 92–7 on February 23, 2021, and sworn in on February 24, 2021.[24]
hideSecretary of Agriculture
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
20210427-OSEC-TEW-001 Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack (51148817903) (cropped).jpg Tom Vilsack December 13, 1950
(age 70)
[25]

Secretary of Commerce

A nomination for Secretary of Commerce is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

hideSecretary of Commerce
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Gina Raimondo (cropped).jpg Gina Raimondo May 17, 1971
(age 50)
[27]

Secretary of Labor

A nomination for Secretary of Labor is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing held on February 4, 2021, and approved 18–4 on February 11, 2021. Cloture invoked 68–30 on March 18, 2021, and confirmed 68–29 on March 22, 2021. Sworn in on March 23, 2021.[28]
hideSecretary of Labor
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Marty Walsh (cropped).jpg Marty Walsh April 10, 1967
(age 54)
[29]

Secretary of Health and Human Services

Although historically the nominee also holds meetings with the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, officially a nomination for Secretary of Health and Human Services is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the United States Senate Committee on Finance, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee consultative hearing held on February 23, 2021.[30]
  • Finance Committee hearing held on February 24, 2021, and tied 14–14 on March 3, 2021. Motion to discharge to the floor passed 51–48 on March 11, 2021. Cloture invoked 50–49 on March 17, 2021. Confirmed 50–49 on March 18, 2021, and sworn in on March 19, 2021.[31]
hideSecretary of Health and Human Services
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Xavier Becerra official portrait (cropped).jpg Xavier Becerra January 26, 1958
(age 63)
[12]

Secretary of Housing and Urban Development

A nomination for Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

hideSecretary of Housing and Urban Development
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Fudge official photo (cropped).png Marcia Fudge October 29, 1952
(age 68)
[33]

Secretary of Transportation

A nomination for Secretary of Transportation is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

hideSecretary of Transportation
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Pete Buttigieg official photo (cropped) Pete Buttigieg January 19, 1982
(age 39)
[36]

Secretary of Energy

The nomination of a secretary-designate is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Energy and Natural Resources Committee hearing held on January 27, 2021, and approved 13–4 on February 3, 2021. Cloture invoked 67–32 on February 24, 2021. Confirmed 64–35 and sworn in on February 25, 2021.[37]
hideSecretary of Energy
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Jennifer Granholm (cropped).jpg Jennifer Granholm February 5, 1959
(age 62)
[38]

Secretary of Education

A nomination for Secretary of Education is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

hideSecretary of Education
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona, official portrait (cropped).jpg Miguel Cardona July 11, 1975
(age 46)
[40]

Secretary of Veterans Affairs

A nomination for Secretary of Veterans Affairs is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

  • Veterans' Affairs Committee hearing held on January 27, 2021, and approved by unanimous consent on February 2, 2021. Confirmed 87–7 on February 8, 2021, and sworn in on February 9, 2021.[41]
hideSecretary of Veterans Affairs
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary McDonough, official photo (cropped).jpg Denis McDonough December 2, 1969
(age 51)
  • White House Chief of Staff (2013–2017)
  • Deputy National Security Advisor (2010–2013)
  • Chief of Staff of the National Security Council (2009–2010)
[42]

Secretary of Homeland Security

A nomination for Secretary of Homeland Security is reviewed during hearings held by the members of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, then presented to the full Senate for a vote.

hideSecretary of Homeland Security
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Secretary Mayorkas Official Photo (cropped).jpg Alejandro Mayorkas

November 24, 1959
(age 61)

  • U.S. Deputy Secretary of Homeland Security (2013–2016)
  • Director of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (2009–2013)
  • U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California (1998–2001)
[12]

Nominated candidates for Cabinet-level positions

Cabinet-level officials have positions that are considered to be of Cabinet level, but which are not heads of the executive departments. Which exact positions that are considered to be cabinet-level varies with each president. Biden has announced he will elevate three positions to Cabinet-level, while removing the director of the Central Intelligence Agency.[44]

Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

  • Environment and Public Works Committee hearing held on February 3, 2021, and approved 14–6 on February 9, 2021. Cloture invoked 65–35 and confirmed 66–34 on March 10, 2021. Sworn in on March 11, 2021.[45]
hideAdministrator of the Environmental Protection Agency
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Michael S. Regan official photo (cropped).jpg Michael S. Regan August 6, 1976
(age 45)
[46]

Director of the Office of Management and Budget

hideDirector of the Office of Management and Budget
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Neera Tanden (47740355751) (cropped).jpg Neera Tanden September 10, 1970
(age 50)
[12]

Director of National Intelligence

  • Intelligence Committee hearing held on January 19, 2021, and approved by unanimous consent on January 20, 2021. Confirmed 84–10 on January 20, 2021, and sworn in on January 21, 2021.[49]
hideDirector of National Intelligence
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Avril-Haines (cropped).jpg Avril Haines August 27, 1969
(age 51)
[12]

U.S. trade representative

The U.S. trade representative has been a Cabinet-level member since 1974, the beginning of Gerald Ford's presidency.

  • Finance Committee hearing held on February 25, 2021, and approved by unanimous consent on March 3, 2021. Cloture invoked 98–0 on March 16, 2021. Confirmed 98–0 on March 17, 2021, and sworn in on March 18, 2021.[50]
hideU.S. Trade Representative
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Katherine Tai crop.jpg Katherine Tai (1974-03-18) March 18, 1974 (age 47) [12]

U.S. ambassador to the United Nations

The UN ambassador was previously in the Cabinet from 1953 to 1989, 1993 to 2001, and 2009 to 2018.

  • Foreign Relations Committee hearing held on January 27, 2021, and approved 18–4 on February 4, 2021. Cloture invoked 75–20 on February 22, 2021. Confirmed 78–20 on February 23, 2021, and assumed office after presenting credentials on February 25, 2021.[51]
hideU.S. Ambassador to the United Nations
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Linda-Thomas-Greenfield-v1-8x10-1.jpg Linda Thomas-Greenfield November 22, 1952
(age 68)
[12][52]

Chair of the Council of Economic Advisors

This position was previously in the Cabinet from 2009 to 2017.

hideChair of the Council of Economic Advisors
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
CeciliaRouse2010.jpg Cecilia Rouse December 18, 1963
(age 57)
[12]

Administrator of the Small Business Administration

hideAdministrator of the Small Business Administration
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Administrator Isabel Guzman.png Isabel Guzman 1971
(age 49–50)
[55][56]

Director of the Office of Science and Technology Policy and Science Advisor to the President

Biden elevated this position to the Cabinet for the first time, emphasizing the importance of science in the administration.[57]

His staff role as Science Advisor to the President does not require Senate confirmation, and he began the role on January 25, 2021.[58]

hideDirector of the Office of Science and Technology Policy
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Jobs-lander.jpg Eric Lander February 3, 1957
(age 64)
[57][60]

White House chief of staff

The White House chief of staff has traditionally been the highest-ranking staff employee of the White House. The responsibilities of the chief of staff are both managerial and advisory over the president's official business. The chief of staff is appointed by and serves at the pleasure of the president; it does not require Senate confirmation. The first Cabinet or Cabinet-level position appointee announced by Biden was White House chief of staff Ron Klain.[61]

hideWhite House Chief of Staff
Portrait Name Date of birth Background Reference
Ron Klain crop.jpg Ron Klain August 8, 1961
(age 60)
[12]

See also

  • Inauguration of Joe Biden
  • Political appointments by Joe Biden
  • Presidential transition of Joe Biden

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

References

  1. ^ Johnson, Martin (December 1, 2020). "Biden elevates Economic Advisers chair to Cabinet". The Hill.
  2. ^ Zimmer, Carl (January 16, 2021). "Biden to Elevate Science Adviser to His Cabinet". The New York Times.
  3. ^ Falk, Pamela (November 20, 2020). "Will Biden tap a U.N. ambassador to "reclaim America's leading position"?". CBS News.
  4. ^ Lee, Matthew (January 11, 2021). "Biden chooses veteran diplomat Burns as CIA director". Associated Press.
  5. ^ Jaffe, Alexandra (March 2, 2021). "Biden's Cabinet half-empty after slow start in confirmations". Associated Press. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  6. ^ Levine, Marianne. "Senate revs its confirmation engine to fill Biden's Cabinet". Politico. Retrieved March 19, 2021.
  7. ^ Liptak, Kevin (March 23, 2021). "Biden first president in decades to have first-pick Cabinet secretaries confirmed". CNN. Retrieved March 24, 2021.
  8. ^ Biden Cabinet – White House.gov
  9. ^ "Joe Biden: The President-Elect". President-Elect Joe Biden. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  10. ^ "Kamala Harris: The Vice President-Elect". President-Elect Joe Biden. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  11. ^ PN78-3 – Antony John Blinken – Department of State
  12. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e f g h i "The Cabinet". President-Elect Joe Biden. Retrieved November 23, 2020.
  13. ^ PN78-24 – Janet Louise Yellen – Department of the Treasury
  14. ^ Franck, Thomas (November 30, 2020). "Biden announces economic team, confirms Janet Yellen as Treasury nominee". CNBC. Retrieved November 30, 2020.
  15. ^ Foran, Clare (January 22, 2021). "Senate confirms Lloyd Austin to be first Black defense secretary". CNN. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  16. ^ H.R.335 – To provide for an exception to a limitation against appointment of persons as Secretary of Defense within seven years of relief from active duty as a regular commissioned officer of the Armed Forces.
  17. ^ PN78-1 – Lloyd James Austin – Department of Defense
  18. ^ Seligman, Lara; Pager, Tyler; O'Brien, Connor; Bertrand, Natasha (December 7, 2020). "Biden picks retired general Lloyd Austin to run Pentagon". POLITICO. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  19. ^ PN78-7 – Merrick Brian Garland – Department of Justice
  20. ^ "Biden to name Judge Merrick Garland as attorney general". AP NEWS. January 6, 2021. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  21. ^ Alonso-zaldivar, Ricardo. "Sources: Lujan Grisham offered, turned down Interior post". Albuquerque Journal. Retrieved December 9, 2020.
  22. ^ PN78-11 – Debra Anne Haaland – Department of the Interior
  23. ^ Eilperin, Juliet; Grandoni, Dino. "Biden picks Rep. Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) to be first Native American interior secretary". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  24. ^ PN78-22 – Thomas J. Vilsack – Department of Agriculture
  25. ^ Nichols, Hans. "Biden to pick Vilsack for agriculture secretary, Fudge for HUD". Axios. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  26. ^ PN78-15 – Gina Marie Raimondo – Department of Commerce
  27. ^ "Biden to nominate Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo to be commerce secretary". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  28. ^ PN78-23 – Martin Joseph Walsh – Department of Labor
  29. ^ Conradis, Brandon (January 7, 2021). "Biden taps Boston Mayor Marty Walsh for Labor secretary: report". TheHill. Retrieved January 7, 2021.
  30. ^ "Senate committee to hold confirmation hearing for Biden's HHS nominee next week". CNN. February 16, 2021. Retrieved February 17, 2021.
  31. ^ PN78-2 – Xavier Becerra – Department of Health and Human Services
  32. ^ PN78-6 – Marcia Louise Fudge – Department of Housing and Urban Development
  33. ^ "Biden to tap Marcia Fudge to lead housing agency". POLITICO. Retrieved December 8, 2020.
  34. ^ PN78-4 – Peter Paul Montgomery Buttigieg – Department of Transportation
  35. ^ Easley, Jonathan (May 5, 2019). "Documents provide glimpse into Buttigieg's military service". TheHill. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  36. ^ Nick Niedzwiadek (December 16, 2020). "Biden points to 'precedent-busting appointments' as he rolls out Buttigieg pick". Politico. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  37. ^ PN78-8 – Jennifer Mulhern Granholm – Department of Energy
  38. ^ "Biden to tap former Michigan Gov. Granholm to lead Energy Department". POLITICO. Retrieved December 15, 2020.
  39. ^ PN78-5 – Miguel A. Cardona – Department of Education
  40. ^ Meckler, Laura; Strauss, Valerie; Viser, Matt (December 22, 2020). "Biden picks Miguel Cardona, Connecticut schools chief, as education secretary". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 23, 2020.
  41. ^ PN78-14 – Denis Richard McDonough – Department of Veterans Affairs
  42. ^ "Denis McDonough, Secretary of Veterans Affairs". President-Elect Joe Biden. Retrieved December 19, 2020.
  43. ^ PN78-13 – Alejandro Nicholas Mayorkas – Department of Homeland Security
  44. ^ "Biden taps longtime diplomat William Burns for CIA director". www.cbsnews.com. Retrieved January 17, 2021.
  45. ^ PN78-16 – Michael Stanley Regan – Environmental Protection Agency
  46. ^ Dennis, Brady; Mufson, Steven; Eilperin, Juliet. "Biden picks top North Carolina environmental official to run EPA". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  47. ^ PN78-19 – Neera Tanden – Executive Office of the President
  48. ^ Mattingly, Phil; Sullivan, Kate. "White House pulls Tanden nomination". CNN. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  49. ^ PN78-10 – Avril Danica Haines – Office of the Director of National Intelligence
  50. ^ PN78-18 – Katherine C. Tai – Executive Office of the President
  51. ^ PN78-20 – Linda Thomas-Greenfield – Department of State
  52. ^ Jakes, Lara; Crowley, Michael; Sanger, David E. (November 23, 2020). "Biden Chooses Antony Blinken, Defender of Global Alliances, as Secretary of State". The New York Times. Retrieved January 6, 2021.
  53. ^ PN78-17 – Cecilia Elena Rouse – Executive Office of the President
  54. ^ PN78-9 – Isabella Casillas Guzman – Small Business Administration
  55. ^ Collins, Andrew Restuccia and Eliza (January 8, 2021). "Biden Taps Boston Mayor, Rhode Island Governor for Cabinet Positions". Wall Street Journal. ISSN 0099-9660. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  56. ^ "Isabel Guzman, Small Business Administrator". President-Elect Joe Biden. Retrieved January 8, 2021.
  57. ^ Jump up to: a b Kaplan, Sarah. "Biden will elevate White House science office to cabinet-level". Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  58. ^ Facher, Lev (February 1, 2021). "Eric Lander Is Brilliant, Connected, and Controversial. Now Joe Biden Wants Him to 'Reinvigorate' American Science". Stat. Retrieved February 2, 2021.
  59. ^ PN78-12 – Eric S. Lander – Executive Office of the President
  60. ^ "President-elect Biden Announces Key Members of his White House Science Team". President-Elect Joe Biden. January 15, 2021. Retrieved January 15, 2021.
  61. ^ Schrer, Michael (November 11, 2020). "Biden's choice of Ron Klain to run White House signals rejection of Trump-era chaos". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 12, 2020. Retrieved November 11, 2020.

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