how many votes needed to confirm attorney general

How many senators does it take to confirm a Supreme Court justice?

Traditionally, this required support from at least 60 of the 100 senators; in 2013, however, Democrats circumvented the rules with the nuclear option to require only a simple majority of those voting—51 in most cases. The only exception: a nomination to the Supreme Court.

How many federal judges are appointed by the President?

The Constitution empowers the president to appoint federal judges, most of which sit on either a U.S. District Court (with 673 judgeships) or a Circuit Court of Appeals (with 179 judgeships).

Does the Senate have to approve judicial nominations?

Nominations to fill judicial openings are subject to confirmation by the Senate after being reviewed by that chamber’s Judiciary Committee, which also holds hearings. A president’s most visible, and consequential, judicial nominations occur when a seat opens on the Supreme Court.

Can the Senate confirm a President’s nominee?

A president’s most visible and consequential nomination may occur when a seat opens on the Supreme Court. Historically, the Senate has confirmed most presidential nominations, but “in rare instances” a vote to confirm has failed.

Does the Senate have to approve the attorney general?

The attorney general is a statutory member of the Cabinet of the United States. Washington, D.C. Under the Appointments Clause of the United States Constitution, the officeholder is nominated by the president of the United States, then appointed with the advice and consent of the United States Senate.

How many senators do you need to confirm?

Once that recommendation is reported to the Senate, floor debate can begin ahead of a confirmation vote. A simple majority vote is needed for confirmation (there are currently 100 U.S. senators).

What is the minimum number of senators that must support a president's judicial nominee in order to ensure that he or she is confirmed?

Confirming a Nomination Traditionally, this required support from at least 60 of the 100 senators; in 2013, however, Democrats circumvented the rules with the nuclear option to require only a simple majority of those voting—51 in most cases.

Do all presidential appointments require Senate approval?

Executive Summary. The federal workforce is composed of about 2 million civil servants who provide continuity across presidential administrations and another 4,000 political appointees who are selected by the president. About 1,200 of these political appointees require Senate approval.

Can override a presidential veto with a 2/3 majority vote?

Congress can override a veto by passing the act by a two-thirds vote in both the House and the Senate. (Usually an act is passed with a simple majority.) This check prevents the President from blocking an act when significant support for it exists.

Who has to approve the president's appointments?

the SenateThe Constitution also provides that the Senate shall have the power to accept or reject presidential appointees to the executive and judicial branches.

Who can the President appoint without approval?

United States (1926): The court held that the power to remove appointed officials, with the exception of federal judges, rests solely with the president and does not require congressional approval.

What margins is required to elevate a president's nominee to a seat on the Court?

What margin is required to choose the president? What's the vote required for a president to be chosen? The Constitution specifies a three-fourths majority for just one process.

Who can overturn an executive order?

Congress has the power to overturn an executive order by passing legislation that invalidates it, and can also refuse to provide funding necessary to carry out certain policy measures contained with the order or legitimize policy mechanisms.

How do presidential appointments get approved?

The United States Constitution provides that the president "shall nominate, and by and with the Advice and Consent of the Senate, shall appoint Ambassadors, other public Ministers and Consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other Officers of the United States, whose Appointments are not herein otherwise provided ...

What presidential appointments do not require Senate confirmation?

PA positions (approximately 400 positions): Presidential appointments that do not require Senate confirmation. These are senior-level positions, including jobs within the Executive Office of the President such as senior White House aides and advisors.

How much of the Senate must vote to approve a treaty?

The Constitution gives to the Senate the sole power to approve, by a two-thirds vote, treaties negotiated by the executive branch.

How many Supreme Court nominees have been withdrawn?

Four nominees withdrew (out of seven in history). Since 1845, the Senate has taken no action on only five Supreme Court nominees, the latest being Merrick Garland in 2016. Obama, a liberal Democrat, selected Garland to fill a vacancy created by the February 2016 death of Justice Antonin Scalia, a conservative.

Who presents a signed commission to the successful nominee?

Third, the president presents a signed commission to the successful nominee and he or she is sworn in, assuming authority to carry out the duties of the office.

Why did the Senate pass a resolution in 2011?

In 2011, to ease the logjam of President Obama’s appointees awaiting confirmation, the Senate adopted a resolution allowing nominations for specific positions to bypass a committee and go to the full Senate for a vote. The committee still collects background, however. And if a single senator objects to the expedited process, the nomination goes to committee as usual.

How many nominees have been rejected by the Senate?

3 nominees. In the past 100 years, the Senate has rejected three nominations on a recorded vote. Americans tend to think of their president as the most powerful person in the world, but the Constitution limits the power of all three branches of government—the president as well as the Congress and the federal courts.

Why can't a senator schedule a floor vote?

Opposition from one or more senators may prevent a floor vote because the Senate cannot schedule the vote absent unanimous consent.

Why do potential presidential candidates get priority?

Because all this takes time, potential nominees for the highest positions usually get priority. In 2004, Congress amended the law governing presidential transitions to encourage a president-elect to put forward candidates for the national security team shortly after the election.

What forms do cabinet candidates fill out?

A candidate for a Cabinet or other top position fills out various forms, such as a financial disclosure report and a national security questionnaire. The Office of Government Ethics is available to guide a candidate through the paperwork.

Who voted against Barr?

Democrats Joe Manchin, Doug Jones and Kyrsten Sinema voted to confirm Barr and one Republican, Rand Paul, voted against Barr.

Did Richard Burr vote for Barr?

A previous version of this graphic incorrectly stated Senator Richard Burr (R- N.C.) voted to confirm William Barr. He did not vote.

Which government agency was the first to not bring a single enforcement action under the 1965 Voting Rights Act?

The Trump Department of Justice became the first to not bring a single enforcement action under the 1965 Voting Rights Act. It also scrapped Obama-era policies that limited the use of mandatory minimum sentences and reliance on private prisons‚ policies the Biden administration has already moved to reinstate.

What did Garland say about voting rights?

Garland said both criminal justice reform and voting rights would be top priorities of his.

Is Garland taking over the Justice Department?

Garland is taking over a Justice Department battered by being at the center of recent political scandals, with senators on both sides concerned it has become politicized. ADVERTISEMENT. Garland, during an hours-long confirmation hearing, pledged to be independent of Biden. “I am the United States's lawyer.

What happens after the Senate votes on a nomination?

Following a vote of cloture, the Senate conducts a simple majority vote on whether to confirm, reject, or take no action on the nomination.

What is required before a presidential nomination?

A chosen nominee then must pass through a series of investigations by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Internal Revenue Service, the Office of Government Ethics and an ethics official from the agency to which the position is assigned. The nominee must also fill out the Public Financial Disclosure Report and questionnaires related to his or her background check.

What is the right column of the Senate Committee?

The following table outlines jurisdiction of the Senate committees in terms of the presidential appointment confirmation process. The left column indicates the Senate committee, and the right indicates the federal departments and administrations over which the committee has jurisdiction. For more information on each committee, follow the link in the left column.

How long does a Senate nomination have to be on the executive calendar?

The nomination must be on the Executive Calendar for more than one day before it can make it to the Senate floor for consideration. Unanimous consent of the time and date for debate must be agreed upon by all senators. If even one senator does not agree, a hold is placed on the nomination.

How does the Senate process start?

The process begins when the president provides a written nomination to the Senate, where it is read on the floor and assigned a number. This starts the Senate's procedure of " Advice and Consent " laid out in Article II of the U.S. Constitution for the appointment of high ranking officials by the president.

What is PAS in the Senate?

All presidential appointments requiring Senate confirmation (PAS) must follow the appointment confirmation process before taking office. Although the number of PAS positions varies by administration, it typically includes all executive department secretaries, undersecretaries, and inspectors general. Some roles in independent agencies and ...

Who is the attorney general nominee for Biden?

Merrick Garland, President Biden's nominee for U.S. attorney general, speaks in Wilmington, Del., on Jan. 7. Most people know Judge Merrick Garland for what didn't happen to him. Five years ago, the Senate never acted on his nomination to the Supreme Court. This week, that will change, as a new chapter begins in Garland's lifelong commitment ...

Who is the Supreme Court nominee for 2016?

In 2016, Judge Merrick Garland was President Barack Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court. Five years later, he is President Biden's pick to lead the Justice Department.

Is the Justice Department still reeling from the Trump years?

The Justice Department is still reeling from political scandals from the Trump years — and racing to neutralize the threat from homegrown, violent extremists who participated in the attack on the U.S. Capitol. Over a legal career that spans 44 years, Garland has confronted those kinds of problems before.