Some Senate Republicans are expressing uncertainty on if they will back Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz for attorney general.
Here’s what they have been saying today:
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune of South Dakota declined to say if he is concerned about Donald Trump’s pick or if Gaetz can be confirmed, but promised the Senate will “vet” all of the president-elect’s nominees during the confirmation process.
North Carolina Sen. Thom Tillis noted that “Mr. Gaetz and I have jousted on certain issues between the House and the Senate. That happens? I haven’t looked at his full body of work and his credentials here, I’ll give him an honest look. … There’s obviously been a lot of disagreements between members of the Senate and Mr. Gaetz,” he told CNN, referring to Gaetz’s role in ousting Kevin McCarthy.
Texas Sen. John Cornynthe senior member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said: “We’ll do our job as as the Senate, do our advise-and-consent function. So, we’ll take that one day at a time.” Asked about Gaetz being investigated by House Ethics Committee for sexual misconduct, Cornyn told CNN: “I’m sure that will come up” in the hearings.
South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, who is a senior member of the judiciary committee, was noncommittal. “I don’t know yet. I’ll have to think about that one,” he told CNN. Pressed on whether he had any concerns about the pick, Graham replied, “We’ll see.”
North Dakota Sen. Kevin Cramer appeared skeptical, noting to reporters “there’s a number of issues” with Gaetz’s nomination related to investigations into allegations of trafficking minors. “I mean, to be honest, I was thinking about the FBI background check, it’s pretty intense for attorney general,” he added.
Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso: “The president is going to make bold decisions and appointments. I am looking forward to the hearings and getting his cabinet in place,” Barrasso said. Asked if it was a bold or concerning pick, Barrasso said: “I have nothing more to add.” He was asked if Gaetz can get confirmed but didn’t directly answer the question.
Kansas Sen. Jerry Moran declined comment saying he just heard the news. “I don’t have a quick reaction to that,” he said.
South Dakota Sen. Mike Rounds said he won’t make a prediction on Trump’s pick. “What we can tell you right now is that we always allow the president to have the benefit of the doubt, but we still have to do our role in terms of due diligence,” he said, but wouldn’t clarify if he personally would vote for Gaetz.
Florida Sen. Marco Rubiowho Trump said he would nominate for secretary of state, said, “I like Matt a lot, I know him very well. I am confident that if the Senate confirms him, he would do a good job. Again, presidents are entitled to have the people that they want in these key positions to carry out the mandate that has been considered.”
The headline and post have been updated to reflect more reaction from Republican senators.
