December 18, 2020 / 7:41 AM
/ CBS News
Washington — President-elect Joe Biden has nominated and appointed 25 people to serve in his Cabinet: the 15 heads of the executive departments, and 10 individuals who the president designates as cabinet-level. Adding Vice President-elect Kamala Harris brings that number to 26.
Mr. Biden spent the weeks after the election preparing to take the helm of the federal government, while many in the Trump administration would neither acknowledge his victory nor help with the transition. This has delayed the Senate’s consideration of his Cabinet. However, five of his nominees testified in their confirmation hearings on the eve of Mr. Biden’s inauguration, and some may be confirmed as early as Inauguration Day.
The president-elect has praised his Cabinet as one of “firsts,” with a number of his nominees poised to break barriers if they are confirmed by the Senate.
Here are the people Mr. Biden has tapped to serve in the top ranks of his administration:
Cabinet
Agriculture: Tom VilsackCommerce: Rhode Island Governor Gina RaimondoDefense: Retired General Lloyd Austin; January 19 confirmation hearing; January 21 House Armed Services waiver hearing.Education: Miguel CardonaEnergy: Former Michigan Governor Jennifer GranholmHealth and Human Services: California Attorney General Xavier BecerraHomeland Security: Alejandro Mayorkas; January 19 confirmation hearing.Housing and Urban Development: Congresswoman Marcia Fudge of OhioInterior: Congresswoman Deb Haaland of New MexicoJustice Department: Judge Merrick GarlandLabor: Boston Mayor Marty WalshState: Tony Blinken; January 19 confirmation hearing.Transportation: Pete Buttigieg; January 21 confirmation hearing.Treasury: Janet Yellen; January 19 confirmation hearing.Veterans Affairs: Denis McDonoughCabinet-LevelWhite House chief of staff: Ron Klain; not a Senate-confirmed position.Council of Economic Advisers: Cecilia RouseOffice of Management and Budget: Neera TandenDirector of National Intelligence: Avril Haines; January 19 confirmation hearing.Small Business Administration: Isabel Casillas GuzmanU.S. Trade Representative: Katherine TaiU.S. Ambassador to the United Nations: Linda Thomas-GreenfieldEnvironmental Protection Agency: Michael ReganSpecial envoy for climate: John KerryScience adviser and director of Office of Science and Technology Policy: Eric Lander
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