IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WE’VE TOLD YOU ABOUT PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP’S CABINET – AND, NO, IT’S NOT THE KIND YOU FIND IN YOUR KITCHEN. A PRESIDENT’S CABINET IS MADE UP OF HIS TOP ADVISORS – A GROUP OF PEOPLE WITH SPECIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES IN THE GOVERNMENT. THE PRESIDENT GETS TO SELECT THEM, BUT, BEFORE THEY CAN GET TO WORK, OUR CONSTITUTION SAYS THEY MUST FIRST BE APPROVED – OR CONFIRMED -- BY THE U.S SENATE.
RIGHT NOW, THE SENATE IS BRINGING IN TRUMP’S CABINET PICKS ONE AT A TIME AND ASKING THEM TOUGH QUESTIONS, SOMETIMES FOR MORE THAN ONE DAY - TO DETERMINE IF THEY’RE RIGHT FOR THE JOB – THESE ARE CALLED CONFIRMATION HEARINGS.
LAST WEEK, CONGRESS VETTED TRUMP’S ATTORNEY GENERAL NOMINEE JEFF SESSIONS, A SENATOR FROM ALABAMA, WHO WAS THE FIRST SENATOR TO ENDORSE TRUMP DURING HIS PRESIDENTIAL CAMPAIGN. THE ATTORNEY GENERAL IS THE HEAD OF THE DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE, WHICH IS IN CHARGE OF ENFORCING LAWS.
CONGRESS ALSO GRILLED TRUMP’S PICKS FOR SECRETARY OF STATE AND SECRETARY OF TRANSPORTATION, AMONG OTHERS.
THIS WEEK, THE POTENTIAL EDUCATION SECRETARY IS BEING QUESTIONED.
EVEN THOUGH MEMBERS OF SENATE GAVE TRUMP’S CABINET A LITTLE TALKING TO, THEY’RE STILL EXPECTED TO CONFIRM ALL OF THE PICKS.
Instructional Links
Presidential Cabinet Confirmation Hearings in Congress
Game: Scholastic, If You Were President | Important decisions the President has to make
Website Article: Congress for Kids, Executive Branch, the President's Cabinet
Website Article: Newsela, What Does the President's Cabinet Do? | Level reading selections