Factbox-Trump turns to Congress for Cabinet picks, whittling away at slim margins
By Bo Erickson
WASHINGTON (Reuters) – President-elect Donald Trump has so far picked five Republican members of the U.S. Congress to join his administration, at least temporarily whittling away at the narrow majorities his party will hold in the Senate and House of Representatives.
Republicans are on track to hold a majority of at least 52 seats in the 100-seat Senate, with one seat going to a recount, and on Wednesday secured the 218th seat they need for a House majority, with nine races left to be called.
Here’s a look at Trump’s picks:
SENATOR JD VANCE
Trump’s running-mate JD Vance, the junior senator from Ohio, will have to resign his Senate seat sometime before he is sworn in as vice president on Jan. 20. Before then, Ohio Governor Mike DeWine, a fellow Republican, is expected to appoint a replacement to hold Vance’s seat until a special election is held in 2026.
SENATOR MARCO RUBIO
Trump’s nominee for secretary of state, Marco Rubio, would first need to have his nomination approved by the U.S. Senate where he now serves. If confirmed, the governor of his home state of Florida, Ron DeSantis, will name a temporary replacement to serve until a 2026 election.
REPRESENTATIVE ELISE STEFANIK
Trump’s nominee to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik of New York, would also need Senate confirmation. Her seat in the House would remain vacant until a special election, scheduled by Democratic New York Governor Kathy Hochul, is held and which by law would need to take place 70 to 80 days after Stefanik leaves the House.
REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL WALTZ
Trump’s pick for White House national security adviser, Michael Waltz would not need Senate confirmation and is expected to resign from his seat and begin his new role at the start of the new Trump administration. Like Rubio, Waltz is from Florida, and DeSantis would set the timeline for a special election to fill his seat.
REPRESENTATIVE MATT GAETZ
Firebrand congressman Matt Gaetz also hails from Florida. If confirmed by the Senate, DeSantis would also need to call a special election to fill Gaetz’s seat.
(Reporting by Bo Erickson; Editing by Scott Malone and Deepa Babington)