Like most Democrats, Oregon senators oppose most of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees – but not all
BEND, Ore. (KTVZ) -- With a Republican majority in the Senate, most of President Trump's Cabinet nominees are expected to sail through. And though Oregon's two Democratic senators have concerns over some nominees' qualifications, there are a few they plan to support.
At a nominee hearing for Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Senator Ron Wyden blasted the nominee, pointing to accusations of tax discrepancies, something Bessent denies.
"This nominee is not square on his taxes. Like others on Wall Street, he has opted out of paying his fair share of his Medicare taxes," Wyden said.
In an interview with KTVZ News, Senator Jeff Merkley raised concerns about many of President Trump's cabinet nominees, from Tulsi Gabbard, looking to be confirmed as head of the Department of National Intelligence, to Pete Hegseth, who's likely to be confirmed as Secretary of Defense.
"We have a lot of really scary people (who) have been nominated, like Tulsi Gabbard, who went off and did secret meetings with the head of Syria. And then there's Pete Hegseth. Pete Hegseth is not qualified in any possible way," Merkley said.
Even though they oppose nearly all nominees, there are a select few they support.
Merkley said, "If there is a competent individual, who will, function, kind of within the mainstream. That's something I can support."
One of those nominees, according to Merkley, is former Senator Marco Rubio, who was unanimously confirmed as Secretary of State.
"You know, I worked very closely with Marco Rubio on China, so we had a lot of common viewpoints, and he's certainly knowledgeable and capable," Merkley said. "I disagree with him on some other foreign policies, but I think that he was a competent individual for Trump to nominate."
Another nominee Senator Merkley plans to support - a familiar face here on the High Desert- is former Congresswoman Lori Chavez-Deremer as Labor Secretary.
Merkley said he appreciates her large and unusual support from labor for a Republican, adding, "She was one of two Republicans who backed the PRO Act, which enhances the ability of workers to organize. She's absolutely kind of (a) mainstream, competent individual, and I will support her."
Wyden told KTVZ News that although he's met personally with Chavez-Deremer, he wants to see how her nomination hearing goes first, before he decides how to vote.
Both senators said they plan to pursue bipartisan bills, but only time will tell if they can pass.