Confirmation Hearing

A confirmation hearing is a proceeding in which a Senate committee questions a presidential nominee for an office that requires Senate confirmation. Senators may ask about the nominee’s experience, qualifications, views, and approach to the responsibilities of the position. A hearing is one step in the process; the Senate later decides whether to confirm.

Example: The Senate Judiciary Committee held confirmation hearings on Ketanji Brown Jackson’s nomination to the Supreme Court in March 2022.

Common misconception: A nominee is confirmed when the hearing ends. The committee may vote on the nomination, and the full Senate must take the required confirmation action.

Sources: https://www.judiciary.senate.gov/committee-activity/hearings/03/21/2022/confirmation-hearing-on-the-nomination-of-ketanji-brown-jackson-to-be-an-associate-justice-of-the-supreme-court-of-the-united-states; https://www.senate.gov/legislative/nominations/SupremeCourtNominations1789present.htm