Latest Confirmation hearings News
Man allegedly released over COVID-19 diagnosis back in jail
ST. LOUIS (AP) — Police officials are conducting an internal investigation to determine why a man suspected of domestic assault was released from a St. Louis jail without being charged, authorities said Monday. A St. Louis police union official alleged that 36-year-old Mac Payne...
Bill would require Senate confirmation for US prison chief
WASHINGTON (AP) — Days after the head of the troubled federal Bureau of Prisons said he was resigning amid increased scrutiny over his leadership, lawmakers have introduced a bill to require Senate confirmation for future bureau directors — the same process used to vet leaders of the FBI and...
Fed's Powell: High inflation poses a threat to job market
WASHINGTON (AP) — Warning that high inflation could make it harder to restore the job market to full health, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell said Tuesday that the Fed will raise interest rates faster than it now plans if needed to stem surging prices. With America's households...
Federal Reserve's Powell: High inflation 'exacts a toll'
WASHINGTON (AP) — High inflation is taking a toll on American families, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell acknowledged in remarks to be delivered at a Tuesday congressional hearing, where he is sure to face tough questions on the subject. “We know that high inflation exacts a...
FACT FOCUS: Masks help curb spread of COVID-19 on planes
The CEO of a major airline suggested during a congressional hearing this week that face masks provide little value on planes — a claim that was quickly amplified online. Citing high-quality filtration systems aboard planes, Southwest Airlines CEO Gary Kelly stated that “masks...
FDA pick Califf parries questions at confirmation hearing
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden’s pick to lead the Food and Drug Administration parried questions on crises ranging from the COVID-19 pandemic to the opioid epidemic, during a Senate hearing Tuesday that seemed to bode well for his confirmation. After the hearing was over,...
Miyares picks ex-McConnell counsel as solicitor general
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The former chief counsel to U.S. Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell has been selected to serve as Virginia's next solicitor general. GOP Attorney General-elect Jason Miyares announced Andrew Ferguson's appointment Wednesday in the first major hiring...
Roe 'settled' law? Justices' earlier assurances now in doubt
WASHINGTON (AP) — During his confirmation to the Supreme Court, Brett Kavanaugh convinced Sen. Susan Collins that he thought a woman’s right to an abortion was “settled law,” calling the court cases affirming it “precedent on precedent” that could not be casually overturned. ...
Justices' views on abortion in their own words and votes
WASHINGTON (AP) — When the Supreme Court hears arguments Wednesday over whether Mississippi can ban abortions after 15 weeks, the justices will be focused on an issue that has dominated the term. Not only is there Mississippi’s call to overrule Roe v. Wade, but justices are already...
State Supreme Court to take up case of embattled DNR leader
MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Wednesday agreed to consider whether the state Department of Natural Resources policy board’s leader can continue to hold his seat months after his term expired. Fred Prehn, a Wausau dentist, was appointed by former...
