Politics

Senate Confirms Two For Cabinet

By CBSNews.com staff CBSNews.com staff

January 24, 2001 / 12:12 PM EST / CBS

Moving full steam ahead to approve President Bush's Cabinet, the Senate Wednesday confirmed Norman Mineta as Transportation secretary and Tommy Thompson as secretary of Health and Human Services.

But a vote on the president's most controversial pick has been delayed. Democrats on the Senate Judiciary Committee postponed for one week consideration of John Ashcroft as U.S. attorney, saying he still had not answered all the written questions they had submitted to him.

Mineta, the lone Democrat tapped by Mr. Bush for a Cabinet position, made clear at his confirmation hearing that flight delays would be high on his agenda, warning that the problem may be getting worse. Mineta was a member of Congress from California for 21 years and the last commerce secretary of the Clinton administration.

Earlier, Thompson, the longtime governor of Wisconsin, was unanimously confirmed by the Senate amid praise for his efforts at overhauling the welfare system.

"The qualities that have made Governor Thompson so successful in Wisconsin are also what makes him an ideal choice to lead this important department," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. "He will bring a wealth of knowledge ... and an innovative style to the national debate on welfare reform."

Thompson has been recognized nationally for his welfare efforts in his home state of Wisconsin. His nomination got support from Democrats, who said they think he'll do well even if they oppose some of his views on abortion and welfare.

Wednesday's confirmations came amid a flurry of activity concerning Mr. Bush's Cabinet selections.

Despite fierce opposition from environmental groups, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee backed Gale Norton as the next U.S. interior secretary, clearing the way for her confirmation by the full Senate on Thursday.

One of Mr. Bush's most controversial nominees, Norton told senators at her confirmation hearings last week that she would enforce U.S. environmental laws and improve the national park system as the first woman to lead the Interior Department.

Two other nominees, Elaine Chao as labor secretary and Christie Whitman as administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, were also scheduled for a Senate vote on Tuesday.

The Thompson and Mineta confirmations bring to eleven the number of Bush nominees approved by the Senate.

On Tuesday, Mel Martinez was confirmed as secretary of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and Anthony Principi as secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Mitchell Daniels was also confirmed Tuesday as director of the White House Office of Management and Budget.