Appointments and Nominations
Understand Appointments and Nominations in plain language, where the authority comes from, and how to find official records or next steps.
How presidents nominate officers and judges, how the Senate reviews them, and why confirmations matter.
Executive power is strongest when tied to law, transparency, and accountable administration.
Who gets nominated
Presidents nominate Cabinet secretaries, many agency leaders, ambassadors, federal judges, U.S. attorneys, marshals, board members, commissioners, and other officers whose appointments require Senate confirmation.
The Senate role
The Senate reviews nominees through committees, hearings, background information, debate, and votes. Confirmation is one of Congress’s most important checks on executive and judicial power.
Learn more
Appointments connect the executive branch, Senate, federal courts, agencies, and public accountability.
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