WASHINGTON — President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees will begin testifying before the U.S. Senate next week as Republicans rush to install the new cabinet soon after the Jan. 20 inauguration.

Several of Trump’s picks have caused consternation on Capitol Hill, perhaps none more so than former Fox News host Pete Hegseth to run the Pentagon and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to lead the Department of Health and Human Services.

Both men have been making the rounds among senators to try to shore up support among Republicans, who have a 53-seat majority. It takes four GOP defections, if all Democrats unite against a nominee, to sink a pick.

All potential administration officials will be questioned on their background and qualifications for the role, part of the standard vetting procedure before senators must vote to decide whether they will confirm the pick.

Here are the confirmation hearings that are scheduled so far:

Defense

Hegseth, an Army veteran, will testify before the Senate Armed Services Committee on Jan. 14 following allegations over sexual misconduct, alcohol abuse and the mismanagement of veterans organizations. Hegseth has denied the allegations.

Republican Senator Joni Ernst, a military veteran and rape survivor, is key to his confirmation. After meeting with Hegseth last month, Ernst released a statement saying their conversations were “encouraging.” She said she would “support Pete through this process” and that she looked forward to a “fair” confirmation hearing.

Veterans Affairs

Doug Collins, Trump’s nominee for Veteran Affairs secretary, will testify before the Veterans’ Affairs Committee on Jan. 14.

Collins is an Air Force Reserve chaplain and a former Georgia congressman. He’s been a staunch supporter of Trump and, as the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee during the former president’s first administration, criticized the Justice Department’s investigation of Russian interference in the 2016 election.

Interior

Doug Burgum’s hearing to be considered for Interior secretary is also set for Jan. 14, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Burgum would also lead a newly minted National Energy Council, influencing domestic oil and gas production strategy in the new administration. The former North Dakota governor ran for president during the 2024 election and later endorsed Trump.

Homeland Security

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem’s hearing to be considered for Homeland Security secretary is set for Jan. 15 before the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The panel is poised to move quickly after recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas spurred pledges to expedite security-related positions. If confirmed, Noem will implement Trump’s policies on immigration, including his pledge to carry out mass deportations of undocumented migrants.

Attorney General

Former Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi will have hearings on her nomination to run the Justice Department on Jan. 15 and Jan. 16 before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A fierce defender of Trump, Bondi would oversee everything from defending controversial government policies in court to doling out billions of dollars in federal grants. Trump’s first pick, former Florida Representative Matt Gaetz, bowed out of contention after intense scrutiny over allegations that he engaged in sexual misconduct.

State

Florida Senator Marco Rubio, Trump’s pick for secretary of State, will testify before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee on Jan. 15.

Rubio, who is well regarded in the Senate, is expected to garner the support needed for a smooth confirmation. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis will appoint a replacement for his Senate seat.

Energy

Chris Wright, chief executive officer of Liberty Energy Inc., will also have his hearing for energy secretary on Jan. 15, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Wright, a vocal proponent of oil and gas, runs an oil and natural gas fracking services company that is based in Colorado. The threat of global warming, he has said, is exaggerated.

Transportation

Sean Duffy, a former House lawmaker from Wisconsin, will testify to be considered as Transportation secretary on Jan. 15, according to a person familiar with the plans.

UN Ambassador

New York Representative Elise Stefanik’s confirmation hearing to be United Nations ambassador had been scheduled for Jan. 16 but seems to be in flux.

Over a decade in office, Stefanik pivoted from being a bipartisan lawmaker representing a rural district stretching from the Canadian border to the Albany area to a die-hard MAGA loyalist and star in a Republican Party reshaped by Trump.

To Be Scheduled

Several nominees, including Kennedy, are still awaiting hearing dates. They include:

—Scott Bessent, Treasury secretary

—Howard Lutnick, Commerce secretary

—Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Labor secretary

—Scott Turner, Housing and Urban Development secretary

—Linda McMahon, Education secretary

—Kash Patel, FBI director

—Tulsi Gabbard, director of national intelligence

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(With assistance from Hadriana Lowenkron, Lillianna Byington, Ellen M. Gilmer and Chris Strohm.)

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