The following cabinet positions are listed in order of their creation (also used as the basis for the
United States presidential line of succession).
Secretary of State The Secretary of State designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Hillary Clinton (2009–2013) Hillary Clinton assumed the office of
Secretary of State on January 21, 2009. In mid-November 2008, President-elect Obama and Clinton discussed the possibility of her serving as U.S. Secretary of State in his administration, along with rumored nominees such as
Bill Richardson,
John Kerry,
Sam Nunn and
Chuck Hagel and on November 21, reports indicated that she had accepted the position. Clinton was floated in emails by Obama transition officials as a possible secretary of health and human services. On December 1, President-elect Obama formally announced that Clinton would be his nominee for Secretary of State. Clinton said she was reluctant to leave the Senate, but that the new position represented a "difficult and exciting adventure". As part of the nomination, Clinton's husband, former president
Bill Clinton, agreed to accept a number of conditions and restrictions regarding his ongoing activities and fundraising efforts for the
Clinton Presidential Center and
Clinton Global Initiative. Confirmation hearings before the
Senate Foreign Relations Committee began on January 13, 2009, a week before the Obama inauguration; two days later, the committee voted 16–1 to approve Clinton. By this time, Clinton's public approval rating had reached 65 percent, the highest point since the
Clinton–Lewinsky scandal. On January 21, 2009, Clinton was confirmed in the full Senate by a roll call vote of 94–2. Clinton took the oath of office of Secretary of State and resigned from the Senate the same day. Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman
John Kerry stated that he expected Clinton to face some tough questions, but thought she was going to do a good job at (being Secretary of State).
Christopher Hitchens of
Vanity Fair called her nomination a ludicrous embarrassment on the edition of November 18, 2008, of
Hardball due to the Clintons' overseas connections, her actions during the
2008 Democratic Presidential Primary. Senator
John Cornyn (R-Texas) voted against a unanimous voice approval, citing ethical concerns. He sought not to block the nomination through a filibuster, but to voice his opposition to her policies. Senator
David Vitter (R-Louisiana) also voted against Clinton in Committee citing her husband's foreign donations for his non-profit entities.
John Kerry (2013–2017) Hillary Clinton had announced she would not stay on in a second Obama term. Obama nominated Senator
John Kerry of Massachusetts as his Secretary of State. On January 29, 2013, John Kerry was confirmed by the Senate in a 94–3 vote to be Secretary of State. John Kerry took office on February 1, 2013.
Secretary of the Treasury The Secretary of the Treasury is reviewed by the
Senate Finance Committee.
Tim Geithner (2009–2013) At the end of November 2008, President-elect Obama announced his intention to nominate
Timothy Geithner, President of the
New York Federal Reserve Bank, to be
United States Secretary of the Treasury, replacing
Henry Paulson. Geithner believed, along with Paulson, that the
United States Department of the Treasury needed new authority to experiment with responses to the
2008 financial crisis. In a written statement, Geithner said that China is manipulating the
Renminbi by purposefully keeping its value low in order to make its exported products seem cheaper on the world market. If confirmed, Geither said to the
Senate Finance Committee that he would ask the Obama administration to pressure China diplomatically to change this practice, The United States maintains that China's actions hurt American businesses and contributed to the
2008 financial crisis. At the Senate confirmation hearings, it was revealed through documentary evidence that Geithner had not paid $35,000 self-employment taxes for several years, even though he had acknowledged his obligation to do so, and had filed a request for, and received, a payment for half the taxes owed. The failure to pay self-employment taxes was noted during a 2006 audit by the
Internal Revenue Service, in which Geithner was assessed additional taxes of $14,847 for the 2003 and 2004 tax years. Geithner failed to pay, or to admit his failure to pay, the self-employment taxes for the 2001 and 2002 tax years until after President-elect Obama expressed his intent to nominate Geithner to be Secretary of Treasury. He also deducted the cost of his children's sleep-away camp as a dependent care expense, when only expenses for day care are eligible for the deduction. Geithner subsequently paid the IRS the additional taxes owed, and was charged interest of $15,000, but was not fined for late payment. In addition, his housekeeper's work authorization lapsed during the last three months she worked for him. Geithner's employer at the time, the
International Monetary Fund, gives its American employees the employer's half of the payroll taxes, expecting that the employees will deposit the money with the Internal Revenue Service. A report from the Senate Finance Committee documented Geithner's errors. While working for IMF, Geithner signed a tax worksheet stating his "obligation of the U.S. Social Security tax, which I will pay on my fund income" In a statement to the Senate panel considering his nomination, Geithner called the tax issues "careless", "avoidable", and "unintentional" errors, and he said he wanted to "apologize to the committee for putting you in the position of having to spend so much time on these issues."
The Washington Post quoted a tax expert who said that TurboTax has not been programmed to handle self-employment taxes when the user identifies himself as being employed. Geithner said at the hearing that he was always under the impression that he was an employee, not a self-employed contractor, Commentator
Michelle Malkin posted on her web site, "IRS employment application packets notify potential workers that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration vets all candidates and current employees 'who have violated or are violating laws, rules, or regulations related to the performance of their duties.' President-elect Obama is standing by a nominee who would oversee the IRS, but might not even qualify for a lesser job at the agency." Former
Speaker of the House of Representatives Newt Gingrich, who also opposes his nomination said, "The IRS did not fine him. Ask small businesses how many of them think they could avoid paying self-employment Social Security and Medicare taxes for seven years and not be fined." On January 26, 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed Geithner's appointment by a vote of 60–34. Geithner was sworn in as
Treasury Secretary by
Vice President Joe Biden and witnessed by President Obama. Geithner left the administration at the end of January 25, 2013.
Jack Lew (2013–2017) On January 10, 2013,
Jacob Lew, then the President's Chief of Staff was nominated as the replacement for retiring Treasury Secretary Geithner, to serve in President Obama's second term. Lew's nomination was confirmed by the full Senate on Wednesday, February 27, 2013, by a vote of 71 to 26. At the White House on the next day (Thursday, February 28), Vice President Joe Biden swore in Lew as the 76th Secretary of the Treasury.
Secretary of Defense The Secretary of Defense designate is reviewed and presented to the full Senate by the
Senate Armed Services Committee.
Robert Gates (2006–2011) Robert Gates assumed the office of
Secretary of Defense on December 18, 2006, under his predecessor then-President
George W. Bush. The retention of Gates fulfilled Obama's pledge made on the campaign trail to have a Republican in his Cabinet. On December 1, 2008, President-elect Obama announced that Robert Gates would remain in his position as Secretary of Defense during his administration, Gates is the fourteenth Cabinet member in history to serve under two Presidents of different parties. One of the first priorities under President Barack Obama's administration for Gates was a review of U.S. policy and strategy in
Afghanistan. Gates, sixth in the
presidential line of succession, was selected as
designated survivor during Obama's inauguration.
Leon Panetta (2011–2013) On April 18, 2011,
Leon Panetta, the
Director of the Central Intelligence Agency, was nominated to replace Gates. On June 21, 2011, the United States Senate confirmed Panetta in a 100–0 vote. He took office on July 1, 2011.
Chuck Hagel (2013–2015) Obama nominated former Senator
Chuck Hagel (R-NE) to succeed Leon Panetta and serve as his second term Secretary of Defense on January 7, 2013. U.S. Senate nomination hearings begin on January 31, 2013. On February 26, 2013, after debate in the full Senate had been closed by a vote of 71 to 27, Hagel's nomination was confirmed 58–41 (1 not voting). All the negative votes on each roll call came from Republican Senators, while 18 Republicans voted for cloture of debate and 4 for final confirmation. He took office on February 27, 2013. On November 24, 2014,
The New York Times reported that Hagel would be resigning from his position as Secretary of Defense under pressure from the Obama administration. Later that day, President Obama announced Hagel's resignation and thanked him for his service. Hagel said in a statement, "You should know I did not make this decision lightly. But after much discussion, the President and I agreed that now was the right time for new leadership here at the Pentagon." Hagel stayed on until the confirmation of his successor.
Ash Carter (2015–2017) On December 5, 2014, President Obama nominated former Deputy Secretary of Defense
Ash Carter as his fourth Secretary of Defense. On February 12, 2015, the Senate confirmed Carter in a 93–5 vote. He took office on February 17, 2015.
Attorney General The confirmation of the office of Attorney General is overseen by the
Senate Judiciary Committee.
Eric Holder (2009–2015) On December 1, 2008, Obama announced that
Eric Holder would be his nominee for Attorney General. and approved by the
Senate Judiciary Committee on January 28. Following his confirmation by the full
Senate by a 75–21 vote on February 2, 2009, he became the first African-American Attorney General of the United States. In late 2007, Holder joined then-
United States Senator Barack Obama's
presidential campaign as a senior legal advisor. He served on Obama's vice presidential selection committee. Holder favors closing the
Guantanamo Bay detention camp, although he has said that the detainees are not technically entitled to Geneva convention protections. He is opposed to the
Bush administration's implementation of the
Patriot Act, saying it is "bad ultimately for law enforcement and will cost us the support of the American people." On September 25, 2014, Holder announced that he would resign his post upon confirmation of a successor.
Loretta Lynch (2015–2017) On November 8, 2014, President
Barack Obama nominated U.S. Attorney
Loretta Lynch to succeed
Eric Holder as the next
Attorney General of the United States. After a contentious nomination process, the Senate confirmed Lynch on April 23, 2015, in a 56–43 vote.
Secretary of the Interior The nomination of the Secretary of the Interior is presented to the full senate by the
Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
Ken Salazar (2009–2013) Ken Salazar assumed the office of
Secretary of the Interior on January 21, 2009, after a unanimous voice vote on the floor of the full Senate. Colorado Gov.
Bill Ritter appointed Denver Superintendent of Schools
Michael Bennet to replace Salazar and to finish his term in the Senate, which expired in January 2011. Bennet was elected to a full term in 2010. Salazar was nominated as Secretary of the Interior on December 19, 2008. His appointment required a
Saxbe fix by Congress. On January 7, 2009, Congress approved a bill, ;
President Bush signed it into law, providing such a fix by reducing the Secretary of Interior's salary to the level it was prior to the time Salazar took office in January 2009. The Senate confirmed Salazar's nomination by voice vote on January 20, 2009, shortly after the swearing in of
President Obama. As Secretary of the Interior, Salazar is in charge of the
National Park Service, the
Bureau of Land Management, the
United States Fish and Wildlife Service, the
United States Geological Survey, and other federal agencies overseen by the Interior Department. Salazar was one of two Hispanics in the Cabinet, along with
Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis of
California. (There were three, but on January 4, 2009, Democratic
New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson withdrew his name from the appointment of
Secretary of Commerce). Salazar is the second Hispanic Interior Secretary after
Manuel Lujan Jr., who held the post from 1989 to 1993 under President
George H. W. Bush. Several prominent environmentalist groups are wary of Salazar, noting his strong ties with the coal and mining industries.
Kieran Suckling, executive director of Center for Biological Diversity, which tracks endangered species and habitat issues states "He [Ken Salazar] is a right-of-center Democrat who often favors industry and big agriculture in battles over global warming, fuel efficiency and endangered species." The nomination was praised, however, by
Gene Karpinski, President of the
League of Conservation Voters. Upon the nomination, Karpinski said, "Throughout his career, Senator Salazar has campaigned on a pledge of support for 'our land, our water, our people.' With a perfect 100% score on the 2008 LCV Scorecard, he has lived up to that pledge. As a westerner, Senator Salazar has hands on experience with land and water issues, and will restore the Department of the Interior's role as the steward of America's public resources. We look forward to working with him to protect the health of America's land, water, and people in the coming years." Although Senate Republicans were expected to raise questions concerning Salazar's stances on
oil shale development and drilling in environmentally sensitive areas, Salazar was one of several Obama Cabinet appointees confirmed in the Senate by voice vote on January 20, 2009, shortly after Obama's inauguration. Salazar became the 50th Secretary of the Interior succeeding
Dirk Kempthorne, who praised Salazar's appointment. On January 23, 2009, Salazar has stated that he is considering reopening the
Statue of Liberty's crown to tourists. The crown has been closed to the public since the
September 11 attacks. "I hope we can find a way," Salazar said in a statement. "It would proclaim to the world—both figuratively and literally—that the path to the light of liberty is open to all."
Sally Jewell (2013–2017) On January 16, 2013, it was reported that Salazar would be leaving his post as Secretary of the Interior in March 2013. On February 6, 2013, President Obama nominated the CEO of
REI,
Sally Jewell, as Secretary of the Interior. The Senate confirmed Jewell's nomination by an 87–11 vote on April 10, 2013.
Secretary of Agriculture The nomination of the Secretary of Agriculture is brought to the full Senate by the
Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee.
Tom Vilsack assumed the office of
Secretary of Agriculture on January 21, 2009, after a unanimous voice vote of the whole Senate.
Tom Vilsack (2009–2017) On December 17, 2008, then-President-elect
Barack Obama announced his choice of Vilsack as the nominee to be the next
Secretary of Agriculture. Vilsack has governed a farm state (
Iowa) as did the previous two Secretaries of Agriculture, Senator
Mike Johanns (2005–2007) and
Ed Schafer (2007–2009). Reaction to Vilsack's nomination from agricultural groups was largely positive and included endorsements from the
Corn Refiners Association, the National Grain and Feed Association, the
National Farmers Union, the
American Farm Bureau Federation, and the
Environmental Defense Fund. Opposition to the nomination came those who believed Vilsack has a preference for large industrial farms and
genetically modified crops; as Iowa state governor, he originated the seed pre-emption bill in 2005, effectively blocking local communities from regulating where
genetically engineered crops would be grown; additionally, Vilsack was the founder and former chair of the Governor's Biotechnology Partnership, and was named Governor of the Year by the
Biotechnology Industry Organization, an industry lobbying group. The Senate confirmed Vilsack's nomination for the position by unanimous consent on January 20, 2009.
Secretary of Commerce The nomination of the
Secretary of Commerce is brought to the full Senate by the
Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.
Failed nomination of Bill Richardson (2009) Bill Richardson was nominated for the position of Secretary of Commerce on December 3, 2008. Nevertheless, due to federal investigation into some of his political donors, he withdrew himself from the nomination on January 4, 2009. Republican Senator Gregg would have been replaced by someone chosen by the state's Governor
John Lynch, a Democrat. Initially, Senator
Mitch McConnell announced that he would prevent an attempt to achieve a super majority by the President. After talks, President Obama as well as Senator Gregg assured that it would not be used as an attempt to change the makeup of the Senate. On February 12, Senator Gregg announced that he had withdrawn from nomination, citing his fundamental disagreement with the Obama administration on "issues such as the
stimulus package and the
Census."
Gary Locke (2009–2011) Former
Washington Governor Gary Locke was designated as the third Commerce nominee, multiple media outlets reported on February 23, 2009. An official announcement was made at a press conference with Locke and President Obama. After confirmation by a voice vote on March 24, Locke became the first
Chinese American Secretary of Commerce, and the third
Asian American in Obama's cabinet, joining Energy Secretary
Steven Chu and Veterans Affairs Secretary
Eric Shinseki, the most of any administration in United States history.
John Bryson (2011–2012) In May 2011, Obama appointed Locke as the new U.S. ambassador to China and nominated
John Bryson as the next Secretary of Commerce. Citing Bryson's environmental views, U.S. Sen.
James Inhofe (
R-
Oklahoma) put a
hold on his nomination in July. The Senate confirmed Bryson as Secretary of Commerce by a 74–26 vote on October 20, 2011. Deputy Secretary
Rebecca Blank served as Acting Secretary of Commerce without Senate confirmation following Bryson's resignation in June 2012 until
Penny Pritzker's confirmation in June 2013.
Penny Pritzker (2013–2017) On May 2, 2013, President Obama announced the nomination of hotel magnate
Penny Pritzker as Secretary of Commerce. On June 10, 2013, the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Pritzker's nomination. On June 25, 2013, Pritzker was confirmed by the full Senate by a vote of 97 to 1.
Secretary of Labor The Secretary of Labor is confirmed through the
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee.
Hilda Solis (2009–2013) Hilda Solis assumed office as Secretary of Labor on February 24, 2009, when she was confirmed by the Senate by a vote of 80–17, although her confirmation hearings had been stalled due to Republican concerns over her support of the
Employee Free Choice Act and her desire to reverse the Bush administration's policies to the
H-2A Guest Worker Act and tax problems with her husband. On December 18, 2008, sources close to the
Obama transition team identified Solis as the President-elect's choice for
U.S. Secretary of Labor, the last cabinet position yet to be filled. The selection earned praise from the
AFL–CIO and other labor organizations, but it brought dismay from business and anti-labor groups. The official announcement was made by Obama on December 19. Her appointment required a
Saxbe fix. Due to her confirmation, Solis's successor,
Judy Chu was chosen in a
special election in California's 32nd congressional district; she declined to endorse any particular replacement candidate. Solis's confirmation hearings were held on January 9, 2009, before the
Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee. Committee chair
Ted Kennedy repeatedly praised her, while despite some prodding from Republican members, Solis declined to discuss specific policy issues including the
Employee Free Choice Act. Committee Republican
Mike Enzi also pressed her on whether her unpaid but high-level positions at American Rights at Work constituted a prohibited lobbying activity; she said she had done no lobbying and was in violation of no rules of conduct. Solis did acknowledge that she had failed to report those positions on her annual House financial disclosure forms at the time, which the White House said was an unintentional oversight. The prolonged process was seen as foreshadowing continued battles between the Obama administration and Republicans over labor issues. Sayyad was sole proprietor of the business, filed a separate tax return from Solis, and intended to contest the lien as they were for business taxes he thought he had already paid. The White House said Solis should not be penalized for any mistakes that her husband may have made. The revelations came in the wake of several other Obama nominations troubled or derailed due to tax issues. On February 11, 2009, the committee finally supported her nomination by voice vote with two dissensions.
Thomas Perez (2013–2017) On January 9, 2013, Hilda Solis announced she would not stay on for Obama's second term and that she was resigning. On March 18, 2013, President Obama nominated assistant U.S. Attorney General
Thomas Perez for labor secretary. Republicans opposed the nomination because they saw him as a "committed ideologue". On May 16, 2013, Perez's nomination was endorsed by the committee along party lines. The vote sent the nomination to the Senate floor. On July 18, 2013, Perez was confirmed as labor secretary after senators reached a deal to avert changing the chamber's rules with his nomination getting 60 votes to break the filibuster. The Senate ultimately confirmed Perez on a party-line vote, 54–46.
Secretary of Health and Human Services The nomination of the
Secretary of Health and Human Services is brought to the full Senate by the
Senate Finance Committee, though the nominee also historically meets with the
United States Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.
Failed nomination of Tom Daschle (2009) Former Senate Majority Leader
Tom Daschle was President Obama's first nominee for the Secretary of Health and Human Services. Daschle was paid $220,000 in speaking fees to Healthcare providers, and was paid $16 million as an advisor to Healthcare lobbying groups in the time between his departure from the US Senate and his nomination. Daschle pulled his name from nomination on February 3, 2009.
Kathleen Sebelius (2009–2014) On March 2, 2009, President
Barack Obama introduced Kansas Governor
Kathleen Sebelius as his choice to fill the office of Secretary of Health and Human Services. Sebelius was confirmed by the United States Senate on April 28, 2009, on a vote of 65–31 amid the swine flu health crisis. In April 2013, after the rocky start of HealthCare.gov, the website set up to enroll Americans in insurance exchanges, Sebelius decided to resign as Secretary as according to Sebelius the March 31, 2014, deadline for sign-ups under the health care law provided an opportunity for change so that Obama would be best served by someone who was not the target of so much political ire.
Sylvia Mathews Burwell (2014–2017) After the resignation of Sebelius was announced, it was revealed that on April 11, 2014, President Obama would nominate
Sylvia Mathews Burwell, the director of the Office of Management and Budget, to become Secretary of HHS.
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development The nomination of the
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development is brought to the full Senate by the
United States Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs.
Shaun Donovan (2009–2014) Shaun Donovan was confirmed as
Secretary of Housing and Urban Development by the U.S. Senate on January 27, 2009, by unanimous consent. In May 2014, the resignation of Secretary Sebelius at HHS, caused a game of musical chairs, with OMB director Burwell being nominated to succeed Sebelius, which in turn on May 23, 2014, lead to the nomination of HUD Secretary Donovan to become the new director of the OMB.
Julian Castro (2014–2017) After President Obama decided to nominate Secretary Donovan as the new Director of the OMB, on May 23, 2014, Obama nominated the mayor of
San Antonio,
Julian Castro, to become the new Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.
Secretary of Transportation The nomination of the
Secretary of Transportation is brought to the full Senate by the
United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation.
Ray LaHood (2009–2013) On December 19, 2008, then-President-elect Barack Obama announced that he would nominate former Republican Representative
Ray LaHood to be the next Transportation Secretary. He was confirmed by a voice vote on January 23, 2009. President Obama said of LaHood "Few understand our infrastructure challenge better than the outstanding public servant that I'm asking to lead the Department of Transportation." LaHood's nomination was viewed with alarm among those concerned with climate change and suburban sprawl. His resume on transportation matters is seen as thin by many critics. He did not serve on the
House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee at the time his selection was announced, although he had in the past. As a member of the
House Appropriations Committee he did not work on transportation funding. While picking LaHood drew praise for its bipartisan symbolism there was also a sense that LaHood's lack of expertise would diminish the department's role in 2009 major policy debates and leave him as more of a ceremonial figure.
James Oberstar, the Democratic Congressman who chaired the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, was expected to hold more influence and will likely play a stronger leading role. Oberstar praised LaHood's "temperament" and "managerial talent," but when asked to cite an issue LaHood championed during his time on the Transportation Committee in the 1990s, Oberstar seemingly drew a blank. "I can't point to any specific legislation that he authored," he said. "He was a team player all the way through." Oberstar said LaHood would play a supporting role on tough policy calls. On January 29, 2013, LaHood announced that he would not stay on for Obama's second term and that he would resign upon the confirmation of his successor.
Anthony Foxx (2013–2017) Anthony Foxx, Mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina was nominated by President Barack Obama on April 29, 2013, to succeed Ray LaHood. On June 10, 2013, the Commerce, Science and Technology Committee unanimously approved Foxx's nomination. Foxx was sworn in on July 2, as the 17th Secretary of Transportation.
Secretary of Energy The nomination of the
Secretary of Energy is brought to the full US Senate by the
Energy and Natural Resources Committee.
Steven Chu (2009–2013) Nobel Prize–winning scientist
Steven Chu was unanimously confirmed by the
U.S. Senate on January 20, 2009. On January 21, 2009, Chu was sworn in as Secretary of Energy in the
Barack Obama administration. Chu is the first person appointed to the Cabinet after having won a Nobel Prize. He is also the second Chinese American to be a member of the
Cabinet after
Elaine Chao.
Ernest Moniz (2013–2017) On February 1, 2013, Secretary Chu announced his resignation pending the confirmation of a successor. On March 4, 2013, President Obama announced he was nominating
Ernest Moniz as Secretary of Energy for his second term. On April 18, 2013, the Senate
Energy and Natural Resources Committee voted 21–1 to approve the nomination of Moniz. On May 16, 2013, Moniz was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
Secretary of Education The nomination of the
Secretary of Education is brought to the full Senate through the
Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
Arne Duncan was confirmed as
Secretary of Education on January 21, 2009, by a voice vote.
Arne Duncan (2009–2016) President Obama nominated
Arne Duncan on December 16, 2008, to be his Secretary of Education. In a prepared statement Obama praised Duncan's skills stating "For Arne, school reform isn't just a theory in a book – it's the cause of his life. And the results aren't just about test scores or statistics, but about whether our children are developing the skills they need to compete with any worker in the world for any job." Duncan received broad bipartisan support during his confirmation hearing in front of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee on January 13, 2009. Senator
Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) said of Duncan, "there is no question that schools across America can benefit from the same kind of fresh thinking that (he) brought to Chicago public schools." On October 2, 2015, Duncan announced he would be stepping down as Secretary at the close of 2015.
John King Jr. (2016–2017) Upon the announcement of Duncan's stepping down, President Obama announced his intention to nominate Deputy Secretary of Education
John King Jr. as the new Secretary of Education. On March 14, 2016, King was approved to be Secretary of Education by the
United States Senate after a 49–40 vote.
Secretary of Veterans Affairs The nomination of the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs is brought to the full Senate by the
United States Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs.
Eric Shinseki (2009–2014) Eric Shinseki was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of
Secretary of Veterans Affairs on January 20, 2009.
Robert McDonald (2014–2017) On June 29, 2014, it was reported that U.S. President
Barack Obama would nominate former Procter & Gamble executive
Bob McDonald to succeed General
Eric Shinseki as the
Secretary of Veterans Affairs. On July 23, 2014, the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs backed McDonald 14–0, sending his nomination to the Senate floor. On July 29, 2014, the Senate confirmed McDonald in a 97–0 vote.
Secretary of Homeland Security The nomination of the
Secretary of Homeland Security is brought to the
United States Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.
Janet Napolitano (2009–2013) Janet Napolitano was confirmed by the U.S. Senate on a voice vote and assumed the office of
Secretary of Homeland Security on January 21, 2009. On December 1, 2008,
Barack Obama introduced Napolitano as his nominee to head the
United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). On January 20, 2009, Napolitano was confirmed, becoming the
first woman appointed Secretary in the relatively new department. Secretary of State
Jan Brewer became the governor of Arizona, as the state does not have a
lieutenant governor. On July 12, 2013, Napolitano announced she was resigning to take a position as President of the
University of California. Her resignation as Secretary of Homeland Security took effect on September 6, 2013, and
Rand Beers served as Acting Secretary from that date until
Jeh Johnson's confirmation as Secretary in December. Beers had been then-Acting
Deputy Secretary and he retained his
Senate-confirmation in the position immediately below, as
Under Secretary of Homeland Security for National Protection and Programs; Beers left DHS on March 6, 2014, to join the
White House staff.
Jeh Johnson (2013–2017) On October 17, 2013, President Obama announced his intention to nominate former Pentagon official
Jeh Johnson as Secretary of Homeland Security. On December 16, 2013, Johnson was confirmed by the Senate in a 78–16 vote. ==Nominated candidates for Cabinet-level positions==