#54: CIVICS 101: The Legislative Branch
Q&A #54: What is the confirmation power of the Senate?
Our American Government
Our American Government is a small book published by the House of Representatives for citizens and those who seek a greater understanding of the American interpretation of democracy. It follows a question-and-answer format and covers a broad range of topics dealing with the three branches of our Government, the electoral process, and the role of political parties.
The Savvy Citizen is reproducing the 169 questions-and-answers through a series of posts called Civics 101. Each post will contain the Q&A as well as some additional commentary to add historical context, fun facts, or anything we believe will add to our collective understanding of these topics.
Think of it as your adult Civics class but without the test!
Let’s keep at it.
SECTION: The Legislative Branch: The Congress
Congressional Process and Powers
Q&A #54: What is the confirmation power of the Senate?
Under Article II of the Constitution, the President appoints, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, ambassadors, other public ministers and consuls, Justices of the Supreme Court and Federal judges, and other Federal officers whose appointments are established by law, including the heads of executive branch departments and agencies and independent regulatory commissions.
This means that, while the President nominates the individuals of these important positions in the Federal Government, the Senate must confirm them before they take office.
The Senate confirmation process can involve a background check of the nominee, often using information supplied by the Federal Bureau of Investigation; meetings between the nominee and individual Senators; hearings and a vote on the nomination by the committee with jurisdiction over the office; and debate and a vote in the full Senate, where a majority is necessary to confirm an appointment.
My Thoughts
We’ve been watching this process play out over the last 6 weeks or so with the Trump administration cabinet members, sub-cabinet members, and a whole range of other officials. While there is enormous activity at the beginning of a new administration, confirmation hearings continue throughout a Presidential term as appointees come and go. It’s an important constitutional function, even though the process feels overtly political these days.
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Back next time with Q&A #54: What is the confirmation power of the Senate?
Meanwhile, don’t forget that we’re organizing the post links on a single page available here.
xo,
Kelley for the Savvy Citizen Team
February 26, 2025