Why You Should Care About Cabinet Members: The Hidden Impact on Your Wallet and Safety

Terri Eades
Jan 18
2 min read

While most of us don’t really care much about “Cabinet Members," hang in there and you will see how it affects our country and your life. We're talking:

How much things cost (Interested now?)
Keep peace with other countries and in the world
The safety of your community from crime
Control and direction of the military

DO WE HAVE YOUR ATTENTION YET?

Qualifications Past & Current

Secretary of State

America's top diplomat. They talk to other countries, make deals, and try to keep peace. They can affect you by making travel safer or helping with issues in other countries.

Current: nominee has significant foreign policy experience as a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the top Republican on the Senate Intelligence Committee.
Past: Secretaries of State have often had extensive diplomatic, foreign policy, or high-level government experience.

Secretary of the Treasury

The country's money manager. They handle the economy, taxes, and make sure the country's money is safe. Their decisions can affect how much things cost and how much money you have.

Current: A nominee for this position has not been identified.
Past:, Treasury Secretaries have had strong backgrounds in economics, finance, or business leadership.

Secretary of Defense

In charge of protecting the country. They lead the military and make sure we're safe from threats. Their choices can affect national security and how safe you feel.

Current: nominee for this position has not been identified.
Past: Defense Secretaries have typically had military experience or extensive national security backgrounds.

Attorney General

The country's top lawyer. They make sure laws are followed and fight crime. Their work can affect your rights and how safe your community is.

Current: has limited legal experience, having practiced law for only two years.
Past: a significant departure from historical norms, where Attorneys General typically have extensive legal careers or judicial experience.

Comparison with Historical Norms

Current: cabinet picks show a trend towards selecting loyalists, often with limited experience in their respective fields.

Past: presidents typically chose nominees with extensive relevant experience or expertise.

Now the boring part, just in case you only watch headlines or opinion news (like most of us!)

The Process

The nomination and confirmation process for cabinet members involves several key steps:

Presidential nomination
Committee referral: committee with relevant jurisdiction
Preliminary review: background checks, ethics reviews, etc.
Individual meetings with senators
Public hearings: Q&A with senators
Committee vote: Yes/No Debate with Senate
Confirmation: majority of senators present and voting to confirm or reject a nominee