Nominations
The Nominations Process
Committee Responsibilities
Understanding the Matrix
In 2015, Commerce Committee chairman Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.) began the practice of publicly posting on the Committee’s website the non-confidential portions of questionnaires of nominees referred to the Commerce Committee as well as responses to post-confirmation hearing questions for the record. These public postings do not include some confidential personal financial details that are reviewed by the committee. This matrix is intended to further Sen. Thune’s efforts to improve the transparency of the confirmation process. It includes and organizes positions by department and agency, discloses completed questionnaires, and indicates whether steps in the confirmation process have been completed.
The “status” category in the matrix explained:
“Confirmed” – the listed official has been confirmed by the Senate and has not made a public announcement of plans to leave office.
“Replacement” – the position has an occupant who has announced an intention to leave office. The listed official is the new nominee, not the current occupant.
“Reappointment” – an official, whose term is expiring before or separate from the end of an administration, has been re-nominated for another term.
“Submitted”– the position does not have a current confirmed occupant, but the president has named a nominee who is under consideration.
“Vacant” – the position does not have a current confirmed occupant and the president has not submitted a nomination under consideration.
“Vacating” – the position has an occupant who has announced an intention to leave office but a replacement has not been nominated.
"Term Expired" – indicates an official’s term has expired but he is allowed to remain in office for a period of time or until replaced. Individuals nominated to independent commissions and boards under the Committee’s jurisdiction serve for terms that may expire during or transcend through presidential administrations.
NOTE: The nominations matrix is updated as the Committee receives and processes documents.
Position | Nominee | Status | Completed Initial Questionnaire | Hearing | Post Hearing Question Responses | Committee Vote | Senate Floor Vote |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Department of Commerce | |||||||
Secretary of Commerce | Wilbur Ross | Confirmed | Click here | 1/18/17 | Click here | Voice (1/24/17) | 72-27 (2/27/17) |
Deputy Secretary of Commerce | Karen Dunn Kelley | Submitted | Click here | Voice (6/27/18) | |||
Under Secretary-Economic Affairs | Karen Dunn Kelley | Confirmed | Click here | 7/26/17 | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) | |
Under Secretary-Standards and Technology/Director-National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) | Walter Copan | Confirmed | Click here | 9/27/17 | Voice (10/4/17) | Voice (10/5/17) | |
Under Secretary-Oceans and Atmosphere/Administrator-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) | Barry Lee Myers | Submitted | Click here | 11/29/17 | Click here |
14-13 (12/13/17) & 14-13 (1/18/18) |
|
Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Secretary for Administration | Thomas Gilman | Submitted | Click here | ||||
Assistant Secretary-Communications and Information | David Redl | Confirmed | Click here | 6/8/17 | Click here | Voice (10/4/17) | Voice (11/7/17) |
Assistant Secretary-Legislative Affairs | Michael Platt | Confirmed | Click here | N/A | N/A | Voice (8/3/17) | |
Assistant Secretary-Global Markets/Director General of the U.S. and Foreign Commercial Service | Elizabeth Walsh | Confirmed | Click here | 6/28/17 | Click here | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) |
Assistant Secretary-Industry and Analysis | Nazakhtar Nikakhtar | Confirmed | Click here | 11/1/2018 | Click here | Voice (11/8/17) | Voice (3/19/18) |
Assistant Secretary-Conservation and Management/Deputy Administrator-NOAA | Timothy Gallaudet | Confirmed | Click here | 9/27/17 | Click here | Voice (10/4/17) | Voice (10/5/17) |
Assistant Secretary-Environmental Observation and Prediction-NOAA | Neil Jacobs | Confirmed | Click here | 11/1/2017 | Click here | Voice (11/8/17) |
Voice (2/15/18) |
General Counsel | Peter Davidson | Confirmed | Click here | 7/26/17 | Click here | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) |
Inspector General | Peg Gustafson | Confirmed | 5/10/16 | Click here | Voice (6/29/16) | Voice (12/10/16) | |
Department of Transportation | |||||||
Secretary of Transportation | Elaine Chao | Confirmed | Click here | 1/11/17 | Click here | Voice (1/24/17) | 93-6-1 (1/31/17) |
Deputy Secretary | Jeffrey Rosen | Confirmed | Click here | 3/29/17 | Click here | 15-12 (4/5/17) |
56-42 |
Under Secretary-Policy | Derek Kan | Confirmed | Click here | 6/8/17 | Click here |
Voice (6/29/17) |
90-7 (11/13/17) |
Assistant Secretary-Aviation and International Affairs | Joel Szabat | Submitted | Click here | Click here | Voice (9/5/18) | ||
Assistant Secretary-Governmental Affairs | Adam Sullivan | Confirmed | Click here |
Voice (2/13/18) |
|||
Assistant Secretary-Transportation Policy | Vacant | ||||||
Assistant Secretary-Research and Technology | Diana Furchtgott-Roth | Submitted | Click here | 10/31/17 | N/A |
14-13 (11/8/17) & 14-13 (1/18/18) |
|
Assistant Secretary-Budget/Chief Financial Officer | Vacant | ||||||
Administrator-Federal Aviation Administration | Vacant | ||||||
Administrator-Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration | Ray Martinez | Confirmed | Click here | 10/31/17 |
Click here | Voice (11/8/17) | Voice (2/13/18) |
Administrator-Federal Railroad Administration | Ronald Batory | Confirmed | Click here | 7/26/17 | Click here | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (2/13/18) |
Administrator-Maritime Administration (MARAD) | Mark Buzby | Confirmed | Click here | 7/26/17 | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) | |
Administrator-National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | Heidi King | Submitted | Click here | 5/16/18 | Click here | 14-13 (6/27/18) | |
Administrator-Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration | Howard 'Skip' Elliott | Confirmed | Click here | 9/27/17 | Click here | Voice (10/4/17) | Voice (10/5/17) |
General Counsel | Steven Bradbury | Confirmed | Click here | 6/28/17 | Click here | 14-13 (8/2/17) | 50-47 (11/14/17) |
Inspector General | Calvin Scovel | Confirmed | 9/21/06 | Voice (9/27/06) | Voice (9/29/06) | ||
National Aeronautics and Space Administration | |||||||
Administrator | James Bridenstine | Confirmed | Click here | 11/01/17 | Click here | 14-13 (11/8/17) & 14-13 (1/18/18) | 50-49 (4/19/18) |
Deputy Administrator | James Morhard | Submitted | Click here | Click here | Voice (9/5/18) | ||
Chief Financial Officer | Jeffrey DeWit | Confirmed | Click here | N/A | N/A | Voice (03/14/18) | |
Inspector General | Paul Martin | Confirmed | 10/15/09 | Voice (10/27/09) | Voice (11/20/09) | ||
Department of Homeland Security | |||||||
Assistant Secretary/Administrator-Transportation Security Administration | David Pekoske | Confirmed | Click here | 6/21/17 | Click here | Voice (6/29/17) | Voice (8/3/17) |
Commandant-U.S. Coast Guard | Adm. Karl Schultz | Confirmed | Click here | 4/17/18 | Click here | Voice (4/25/2018) | Voice (5/09/18) |
Vice Commandant-U.S. Coast Guard | Vice Adm. Charles W. Ray | Confirmed | Click here | 4/11/18 | Voice (4/25/18) | Voice (5/16/18) | |
Vice Admiral | Adm. Michael McAllister | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (5/22/18) | Voice (5/24/18) | ||
Vice Admiral |
Adm. Scott Buschman | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (5/22/18) | Voice (5/24/18) | ||
Vice Admiral | Adm. Linda Fagan | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (5/22/18) | Voice (5/24/18) | ||
Vice Admiral | Adm. Daniel Abel | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (5/22/18) | Voice (5/24/18) | ||
Vice Admiral | Adm. Marshall Lytle III | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (6/15/16) | Voice (6/29/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Peter Brown | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/30/15) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Andrew McKinley | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (6/27/18) | Voice (7/18/18) | ||
Rear Admiral | Vacant | ||||||
Rear Admiral | Adm. June Ryan | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/30/15) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Joseph Vojdovich | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/30/15) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Kurt Hinrichs | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/30/15) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Francis Pelkowski | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (3/3/16) | Voice (3/10/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Meredith L. Austin | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Todd A. Sokalzuk | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Peter W. Gautier | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Kevin K. Lunday | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Paul F. Thomas | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. James Heinz | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Michael Haycock | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/27/16) | Voice (5/18/16) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Steven Andersen | Confirmed | Click here | Passed by UC (2/14/18) |
Voice (2/14/18) |
||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Pat DeQuattro | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/14/17) | |||
Rear Admiral | Adm. William Kelly | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/14/17) | |||
Rear Admiral | Adm. John Nadeau | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/14/17) | |||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Joanna Nunan | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/14/17) | |||
Rear Admiral | Adm. Keith Smith | Confirmed | Click here | Passed by UC (2/14/18) | Voice (2/14/18) | ||
Rear Admiral | Adm. David Throop | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/14/17) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Adm. Andrew McKinley | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (6/27/18) | Voice (7/18/18) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Matthew Bell | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Melissa Bert | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. David Dermanelian | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Robert Hayes | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Andrew Tiongson | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Anthony Vogt | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (11/19/15) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Melvin Bouboulis | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Donna Cottrell | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Michael Johnston | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Eric Jones | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Ryan Michael | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Thomas Allan | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Laura Dickey | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Douglas Fears | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. John Mauger | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Nathan Moore | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Brian Penoyer | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
Rear Admiral (Lower Half) | Capt. Matthew Sibley | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/13/17) | Voice (12/14/17) | ||
White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) | |||||||
Director | Kelvin Droegemeier | Submitted | Click here | Click here | Voice (9/5/18) | ||
Associate Director Science | Vacant | ||||||
Associate Director Technology and Innovation | Vacant | ||||||
U.S. Chief Technology Officer | Vacant | ||||||
Associate Director National Security and International Affairs | Vacant | ||||||
Associate Director Environment and Energy | Vacant | ||||||
Federal Communications Commission | |||||||
Chairman | Ajit Pai | Confirmed | Click here | 7/19/17 | Click here | Voice (8/2/17) | 52-41 (10/2/17) |
Commissioner | Geoffrey Starks | Submitted | Click here | 6/20/18 | Click here | Voice (6/27/18) | |
Commissioner | Brendan Carr | Confirmed | Click here | 7/19/17 | Click here |
Voice for remainder term; 14-13 vote for follow-on term (8/2/17) & 14-13 vote for follow-on term (1/18/18) |
Voice for remainder term (8/3/17) |
Commissioner | Jessica Rosenworcel | Confirmed | Click here | 7/19/17 | Click here | Voice (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) |
Commissioner | Mike O'Rielly | Confirmed | Voice (12/16/14) | ||||
Federal Trade Commission | |||||||
Commissioner | Noah Phillips | Confirmed | Click here | 2/14/18 | Click here | Voice (2/28/18) | Voice (4/26/18) |
Commissioner | Rebecca Slaughter | Confirmed | Click here | 4/11/18 | Click here | Voice (4/25/18) | Voice (4/26/18) |
Commissioner | Christine Wilson | Confirmed | Click here | 2/14/18 | Click Here | Voice (2/28/18) | Voice (4/26/18) |
Commissioner/Chairman Designate | Joseph Simons | Confirmed | Click here | 2/14/18 | Click here | Voice (2/28/18) | Voice (4/26/18) |
Commissioner | Rohit Chopra | Confirmed | Click here | 2/14/18 | Click here | Voice (2/28/18) | Voice (4/26/18) |
Consumer Product Safety Commission | |||||||
Commissioner | Elliot Kaye | Confirmed | 4/8/14 | Voice (7/15/14) | Voice (7/28/14) | ||
Commissioner | Robert Adler | Confirmed | 6/11/14 | Voice (7/15/14) | 53-44 (12/2/14) | ||
Chairman | Ann Marie Buerkle | Submitted | Click here | 9/27/17 | Click here | Voice for Chairman nomination; 14-13 vote for follow-on term (10/4/17) & Voice for Chairman nomination; 14-13 vote for follow-on term (1/18/18) | |
Commissioner | Peter A. Feldman | Submitted | Click here | 6/20/18 | Click here | Voice for remainder term; 14-13 vote for follow-on term | |
Commissioner | Dana Baiocco | Confirmed | Click here | 11/01/17 |
14-13 (11/8/17) & 14-13 (1/18/18) |
50-45 (5/22/18) | |
National Transportation Safety Board | |||||||
Member | Bruce Landsberg | Confirmed | Click here | 10/31/17 | Click here | Voice (11/8/17) | Voice (7/24/18) |
Member | T. Bella Dinh-Zarr | Confirmed | Click here | 12/3/14 | Voice (2/26/15) | Voice (3/12/15) | |
Chairman | Robert Sumwalt | Confirmed | Click here | 6/8/17 | Click here | Voice for 5-year term (6/29/17) Voice for 2-year term to be chair (8/2/17) | Voice (8/3/17) |
Member | Earl Weener | Term expired | Voice (6/17/10) | Voice (6/22/10) | |||
Member | Jennifer Homendy | Confirmed | Click here | 5/16/18 | Click here | Voice (5/22/18) | Voice (7/24/18) |
Federal Maritime Commission | |||||||
Commissioner | Vacant | ||||||
Commissioner | Rebecca Dye | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (6/15/16) | Voice (6/29/16) | ||
Commissioner | Vacant | ||||||
Acting Chairman | Michael Khouri | Confirmed | Click here | 12/15/09 | Voice (6/29/16) | Voice (6/29/16) | |
Commissioner | Vacant | ||||||
Surface Transportation Board | |||||||
Member | Martin Oberman | Submitted | Click here | 7/26/18 | Click here | Voice (8/1/18) | |
Acting Chairman | Ann Begeman | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (12/10/16) | |||
Member | Deb Miller | Confirmed | 11/21/13 | Voice (1/13/14) | Voice (4/9/14) | ||
Member | Patrick Fuchs | Submitted | Click here | 4/11/18 | Click here | Voice (4/25/18) | |
Member | Michelle Schultz | Submitted | Click here | 4/11/18 | Click here | Voice (4/25/18) | |
Corporation for Public Broadcasting Board of Directors | |||||||
Member | Elizabeth Sembler | Confirmed | Voice (7/15/14) | Voice (9/11/14) | |||
Chair | Loretta Sutliff | Confirmed | Voice (7/30/13) | Voice (8/1/13) | |||
Member | Ruby Calvert | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (4/25/18) | Voice (5/24/18) | ||
Member | Patricia Cahill | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (3/25/15) | Voice (5/21/15) | ||
Member | Laura Ross | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (5/24/18) | |||
Member | Judith Davenport | Confirmed | Voice (7/15/14) | Voice (9/11/14) | |||
Member | Howard Husock | Confirmed | Voice (7/30/13) | Voice (8/1/13) | |||
Member | Vacant | ||||||
Vice-Chair | Bruce Ramer | Confirmed | Voice (7/30/13) | Voice (8/1/13) | |||
AMTRAK Board | |||||||
Chairman | Anthony Coscia | Confirmed | Click here | Voice (11/18/15) | Voice (12/15/15) | ||
Director | Yvonne Brathwaite Burke | Confirmed | Voice (1/1/13) | ||||
Director | Thomas Carper | Confirmed | Voice (7/30/13) | Voice (8/1/13) | |||
Director | Christopher Beall | Confirmed | Voice (1/1/13) | ||||
Director | Albert DiClemente | Confirmed | 11/18/09 | Voice (12/3/09) | Voice (6/22/10) | ||
Director | Rick Dearborn | Submitted | Click here | 07/26/18 | 14-13 (9/5/18) | ||
Director | Joseph Gruters | Submitted | Click here | 5/16/18 | Voice (5/22/18) | ||
Director | Leon Westmoreland | Submitted | Click here | 10/31/17 | Click here |
Voice (11/8/17) & 14-13 (1/18/18) |
|
Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority | |||||||
Member | Alan Cobb | Submitted | Click here | Voice (4/25/18) | |||
Member | Nina Wells | Confirmed | Voice (1/1/13) | ||||
Member | Vacant | ||||||
Saint Lawrence Seaway Development Corporation Advisory Board | |||||||
Chairman | David McMillan | Confirmed | Voice (3/29/12) | ||||
Member | William Mielke | Confirmed | Voice (1/1/13) | ||||
Member | Wenona Singel | Confirmed | Voice (3/29/12) | ||||
Member | Arthur Sulzer | Confirmed | Voice (8/2/12) | ||||
Member | Vacant | ||||||
Marine Mammal Commission | |||||||
Chairman | Daryl J. Boness | Term expired | Voice (2/4/10) | ||||
Commissioner | Michael Tillman | Term expired | 3/18/10 | Voice (3/24/10) | Voice (6/22/10) | ||
Commissioner | Frances Gulland | Term expired | 3/10/11 | Voice (3/17/11) | Voice (4/14/11) |