Senate confirms 6 Cabinet picks; Clinton vote delayed
1/21/2009WASHINGTON - The Senate swiftly approved six members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet yesterday but put off for a day the vote on his choice of Hillary Clinton to be secretary of state.
The Senate confirmed all six with a single voice vote a little more than three hours after Mr. Obama took the oath of office to become the 44th president.
But Democratic hopes to add Mrs. Clinton to that list were sidetracked when Sen. John Cornyn (R., Texas) objected to the unanimous vote.
Mr. Cornyn said he still had concerns about foreign donations to the foundation headed by Mrs. Clinton's husband, former President Bill Clinton.
Those confirmed were Steven Chu to be energy secretary, Arne Duncan at education, Janet Napolitano for homeland security, Eric Shinseki to head veterans affairs, Ken Salazar for interior, and Tom Vilsack to lead the department of agriculture.
Mr. Obama signed nominating papers for his choices after he took the oath. Senate leaders agreed to have a roll call vote on Mrs. Clinton today.