Day 26.

We’re going to be having some Senate confirmations soon, so I’m reviewing the process. Alexander Hamilton wrote about it in Federalist No. 76.

One thing I learned from the article is that only the Senate Finance Committee currently requires tax returns from nominees; that means we’ll be seeing them from Steve Mnuchin (Treasury) and from Tom Price (Health and Human Services), but that’s it, unless there’s a rules change. Remember, a rules change will require 51 votes; Republicans have 52, so that’s not likely.

However, Democrats can use their roles on Committees to have hearings to publicize two things; the ways the nominees diverge from Trump’s stated positions; and ethical problems in the nominees’ pasts.

So today’s action: Read Federalist No. 76. Get ready to resume calls and emails tomorrow.