Washington Sen. Patty Murray, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has expressed disappointment over the cancellation of a scheduled meeting with President-elect Donald Trump’s defense secretary nominee, Pete Hegseth. The meeting was rescheduled to January 26, despite the possibility of Hegseth being confirmed by then.
Murray's concerns are shared by many Democrats, including members of the Senate Armed Services Committee, who did not have the opportunity to meet with Hegseth before this week's hearing. It is customary for Cabinet nominees to meet with senators from both parties, but Hegseth only met with Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed and Democratic Sen. John Fetterman of Pennsylvania prior to the hearing.
Murray, who also serves as the ranking member on the defense appropriations subcommittee responsible for the Pentagon's budget, emphasized the importance of these meetings in a press release. She stated, 'Conducting these meetings is the absolute bare minimum given the role of each Senator and the constituents they represent. And should Pete Hegseth be confirmed, we have to be able to meet and communicate.'
The lack of engagement with key senators has raised concerns about transparency and communication between the nominee and lawmakers. As the confirmation process continues, the need for constructive dialogue and collaboration between Hegseth and members of the Senate becomes increasingly crucial.
