Inauguration of the President

Last week, in a tradition as old as the Republic itself, we inaugurated a new president of the United States.  I was fortunate to be among the members of Congress on the dais as we concluded the peaceful transition from one president's administration to another.

It was a breathtaking sight to gaze across the length of the Mall and see the millions who had come from so far to witness this event. President Obama's speech was eloquent and set the bar high for Congress and the American people to reach. It was a beautiful and significant moment in our history, and I'm honored to have been a part of it.

Who's who in the new administration

The U.S. Constitution gives the president the authority to name the heads of all the executive agencies "with the advice and consent" of the Senate.  So far, most of President Obama's choices have received Senate confirmation.

At this writing, those confirmed include:
Secretary of State Hillary Clinton

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano
Education Secretary Arne Duncan
Energy Secretary Steven Chu
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack
Veterans Affairs Secretary Eric Shinseki
Interior Secretary Ken Salazar
Housing Secretary Shaun Donovan
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood
Defense Secretary Robert Gates (Gates held this position under President Bush as well)
Treasury Secretary nominee Timothy Geithner

Those expect to be confirmed at this writing:
Attorney General nominee Eric Holder
Labor Secretary nominee Hilda Solis
Health and Human Services Secretary Tom Daschle

And the president has yet to nominate a Commerce Secretary.  His first choice, New Mexico Governor Bill Richardson withdrew himself from consideration.