Hawley's the Lone Senator to Vote 'Nay' on All Biden Cabinet Picks Confirmed So Far

Sen. Josh Hawley, R-Mo., has been consistent when voting for President Joe Biden's six Cabinet members confirmed so far — he was against all of them.

Hawley voted 'nay' to Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Tuesday.

Previously, the senator voted against Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines.

Hawley, in his first term, already had earned the reputation of being a hardliner. He was criticized for objecting to Electoral College voting results even after the riot at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

As a result, book publisher Simon & Schuster canceled its book deal with Hawley. Democrat colleagues filed an ethics complaint against him, claiming Hawley "lent legitimacy to the mob's cause and made future violence more likely."

Austin had the largest approval of Biden's nominees from the Senate, confirmed 93-2. Hawley and Sen. Mike Lee, Utah, were the only members who voted against him, per the Washington Examiner.

On Tuesday, Buttigieg became the first openly gay Cabinet member when he was confirmed 86-13. The Trump administration's Ric Grenell, also gay, served as acting DNI but was not Senate confirmed.

Mayorkas became the first Latino and first immigrant to that post when the Senate voted 56-43 to confirm in the closest vote of Biden nominees.

Before voting against confirmation of Mayorkas, Hawley moved to delay the process.

"On Day 1 of his administration, President-elect Biden has said he plans to unveil an amnesty plan for 11 million immigrants in this nation illegally,” Hawley said in a statement. "This comes at a time when millions of American citizens remain out of work and a new migrant caravan has been attempting to reach the United States. Mr. Mayorkas has not adequately explained how he will enforce federal law and secure the southern border given President-elect Biden’s promise to roll back major enforcement and security measures.

"Just today, he declined to say he would enforce the laws Congress has already passed to secure the border wall system. Given this, I cannot consent to skip the standard vetting process and fast-track this nomination when so many questions remain unanswered."

Although his actions on various issues have given some people the notion he would run for the 2024 Republican nomination, Hawley has said he is not running for president.

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