Treasury secretary nominee Steve Manuchin. Just a little while ago we heard this from democraticleahy who a travel ban controversy. Ive been here with president ford, president carter, president reagan, president clinton, president bush, both president bushes, president obama. Never ever seen anything like that. In fact, the administrations unpredictability reckless, extreme agenda casts a shadow over all of the president ial nominees, and that includes senator sessions. Senator leahy was in the Judiciary Committee for the vote on the attorney general nominee, Jeff Sessions. The committee, by the way, expected to vote on sessions any moment now. Well update you on that vote. Meanwhile, the nomination of betsy devoss as education secretary is headed for the full senate. She passed the Health Education labor and Pensions Committee by a 1211 vote along strict party lines. That vote came just as reports surfaced that devoss may have plagiarized parts of answers in the committee questionnaire. Last hour we heard directly from the Homeland Security secretary john kelly who said the controversial executive order on travel was not a surprise. I knew he was going to sign an order about a year and a half, two years before he became the president elect. People on my staff were generally involved. I guess probably wednesday i think we learned tuesday, wednesday that there would probably be during the week that it would be signed out. I did not look at it from a perspective of as i say, correcting the grammar or saying, you know, we need to change these words or do this thing. People that know the immigration process infinitely better than i do right now were people that includes people around the inner agency that were the ones that did the staff work and ultimately the president signed it. I remember tonight President Trump will name his nominee to the United StatesSupreme Court. His choice to fill the seat of the late Justice Antonin Scalia who passed away a year ago. The two finalists neil gorsuch and hardiman. Theyre both headed to washington d. C. Today 8 00 p. M. Eastern. Well have live coverage on cnn. Joining us now from capitol hill, our chief Congressional Correspondent manu raju. From the White House Briefing room and jim accosta. Jim, yesterday the White House PressSecretary Sean Spicer, he chided democrats for moving too slowly on the president s cabinet nominees. How much will that dominate the upcoming discussion . Snoo Donald Trumps education policy point person on the white house domestic policy council, and this is in response to these allegations of plagiarism facing betsy devoss. This is character assassination. The secretary designate has been referencing the need for safe and supportive learning environments, free of discrimination nor tall students so they can learn, thrive, grow, and lead successful productive lives. Wolf, since were getting that statement here in just the last few minutes, i think its pretty safe to say youre going to hear sean spicer echo those sentiments from the podium. Theres a lot going on from the firing of the acting attorney general last night, sally yates, to what appears to be an episode of scotus apprentice taking place here in washington with those two finalists that you mentioned, wolf, on their way to washington. I know have they confirmed over at the white house our reporting that both of the two finalists are either already in washington or on their way to washington . We dont know who is going to be the final selection. They have not, but our sources are telling us that these two finalists are certainly very much in the mix, very heavy favorites for this selection that were going to hear from donald trump later on this evening, but no word yet from the who is confirming these two contenders are other this way to washington as we speak, wolf. Stand by for a moment. Manu, i want to go to you up on the hill. Democrats, they seem to be uniting. Whats the reaction there to the decision to actually boycott votes involving tom price and Steve Manuchin . Yeah, thats right, wolf. It was actually just a few hours ago the democrats not attending the Senate FinanceCommittee Vote where actually one democrat is required for this vote to actually take place, so in a rather extraordinary and very unusual move, boycotting this vote altogether, that is something that just is not really done particularly on such a huge issue. Like a cabinet nominee. Now, the question for the republicans is how to deal with this Going Forward. Its something that they have not figured out yet, but they may not be able to have a full floor vote in the senate if the committee does not act, and that means the onus might be on donald trump to recess appoint these two cabinet nominees. I had a chance to catch up with orrin hatch, who is the chairman of the Senate Finance committee, and i asked him specifically how do you whats your response to the democrats boycotting this . He was not happen. Take a listen. Hopefully theyll get their head screwed on right and come to a markup. I am very disappoint thad they treated the committee that way and me personally that way. At least call me and say they cant do it. You know . Even that would be call me and say they have to feel ashamed. You called them especially this kind of crap. You called them idiots in there. They are idiots. Anybody that would do Something Like that, its just complete breach of decorum. Its a complete breach of committee rules. Its a complete breach of just getting along around here. We know we have differences, and we should be willing to meet over those differences. You know, especially on a markup that they had plenty of notice on, and i was led to believe would be four, and then they would delay the vote on the floor probably, but still, its going to happen one way or the other. Pretty strong words from the Senate Finance chairman. The question is how do democrats respond . They havent said whether they participate in any of those hearings or participate in the vote. I should say they want more information from tom price and Steve Manuchin. They believe they were not forth right with this committee. They believe they misled the committee on some key issues. Even one democratic senator saying they lied to the Senate Finance committee, so well see how the republicans respond, but as i said, wolf, the last resort could be a recess appointment, something that is rather unusual and could limit how long they stay in office until the senate acts and confirm them to the post. Tensions really flaring at this point, wolf. Manu sfs raju, thank you. Thats coming up momentarily. In the meantime, i want to bring in senator jeff americaly, a democrat from oregon. Senator, thanks so much for joining us. Youre welcome. Great to be with you, wolf. You just heard your colleague, senator orrin hatch. He has been in the senate for a long time. He called out democrats for actually boycotting these votes. One democrat in these committees in order to get a vote. Do you support this extraordinary boycott . Well, yes, i do. The Committee Leadership has a responsibility to make sure all the questions that the senators are asking on the committee are fully answered. In both these cases both the disclosurure king Steve Manuchin hold on, senator. Sean spicer is about to begin this briefing right now. I want to listen in. Well get back to you soon. I know youre all looking forward to what promises to be a historic night for the nation and for this president. The president is very excited toic ma his announcement of the next associate justice of the Supreme Court later this evening. According to some polls and you know we love polls around here. For 70 of the voters president s choice for Supreme Court it was an important factor of their choice for the ballot box in november. For more than one in five it was the most important factor. Tonight he will formally present his nominee, to the American People, and i can assure you that this individual will make those voters and every american very, very proud. This particular choice is one that the president takes very seriously. He knows well impact the Juris Prudence for generations to come. As such, he has taken careful steps to insure that this process has both been transparent and inclusive. He has been speaking about the list of individuals that he may nominate since may of this year, and after consulting with several influential groups, rebleesd e leased a definitive list of 21 in september, pledging that his nominee will solely come from that list. He sought the advice and consent of both republicans and democrats. Senators throughout this process. The president recognizes the gravity of his choice to fill the seat left by justice scalia. One of the most steadfast protectors of our liberty and devotees of our constitution that ever graced the bench. Whom ever the president selects will be a worthy successor to the brilliant legal mind and constitutional dedication of justice scalia. Its our intention to start promptly tonight in the east room at 8 02 p. M. Preset will begin at 6 30. The east room will be available for live shots approximately 20 minutes following the announcements, and both the Briefing Room and pebble beach outside have extended hours tonight to accommodate any additional journalistic needs. Well have further guidance on tonights plans as the day evolv evolves. Moving to the news of the day, i know that secretary kelly along side other dhs officials just recently concluded a briefing. On the operational implementation of the president s executive order. I think its pretty clear from the secretarys press conference that this executive order was enacted with the proper preparation and coordination between the white house and dhs. That implementation will continue and proceed as planned. We also have a few updates on the leadership of some of the most critical government agencies. Last night, as you know, the president relieved sally United States yates of her duties and named as the u. S. For the reason attorney for the Eastern District of virginia until Democratic Senators finally quit their obstruction and confirm the unquestionably qualified senator Jeff Sessions as our next attorney general. Ms. Yates failed to enforce a legal order approved by the department of justices office of Legal Counsel in design to protect the citizens of the United States. Calling for tough vetting from individuals travellers from seven nations is not extreme. It is reasonable and necessary to protect our country. The president signed an affidavit last night of nomination for mr. Vuente as one of his First Official actions as his new post as acting attorney general he signed a memorandum rescinding sally yates guidance regarding the president ace executive order to insure its full implementation. Last night the president also announced the appointment of thomas homan as acting assistant secretary of Homeland Security and director offer of ice. He has a long career at ice. Most recently serving as the executive associate director for enforcement and removal operations. Having a professional in place like this to serve as the acting director is critical to insuring the Efficient Administration of the president s agenda. One other update from a story yesterday, i hope you all saw the statement that was put out from the joint chiefs of staff where chairman dunford noted discussed the reorganization of the National Security council, and he made it clear that he would continue to fully participate in the inner Agency Process and provide the best possible military advice to the president and members of the nsc. I really hope that that statement closes the book on the misleading narrative and this should hopefully be the final time we have to address what was in the National Security directive. The family of the president also has the president also had a very somber and lengthy conversation with the family of chief petty officer william ryan owens. His wife, his father, and their three children. Chief owens was on his 12th deployment from what i understand. We could never repay the debt of gratitude we owe him. The freedom that he fought for and the sacrifice that he made as well as the other members of his unit who were injured in this operation. Today in the senate two of the president s nominees advanced out of the committee. The energy and Natural ResourcesCommittee Approved the nominations of both congressman ryan zinke as the next interior secretary and the nomination of former Texas Governor rick perry as the next secretary of energy. Elaine chow also grafrlly received the approval of the full senate to approve the next secretary of transportation. I expect further guidance on her official swearing in to come very soon. The Senate Democrats have done everything in their power to slow the work of the senate. The president continues to take decisive action. Its unfortunate the Senate Democrats remain so out of touch with the message that the American People sent this past november. The people want change. President trump is delivering that change. The only response from Senate Democrats so far is to try to stall the Core Functions of our government. I know that i have repeated in every day, but honestly its getting a bit ridiculous. The idea that these highly qualified fom knees ahave the votes for their nomination to be endorsed out of committee and get a full boat e vote are being stalled because democrats are boycotting the Committee Vote is outrageous. The mere idea that theyre not even showing up to hearings is truly outrageous. I would like to give a special shoutout to the folks at cspan for making sure that all of these embarrassing actions by Senate Democrats get the wall to wall coverage that they deserve. Voters are going to remember what senators stood in the way of when President Trump while President Trump is trying to install his agencies and Department Heads the next time their name is on the ballot. The numbers dont lie. 16 of President Trumps nominees to head Major Department and agencies are still waiting to be confirmed. At the same time in 2009 president obama only had seven of these people waiting confirmation. In 2001 president bush had all but two. Moving on, here at the white house this morning we reiterated the president s intention to continue to enforce the executive order protecting employees from the antilgbtq discrimination while working for the federal government or contractors. Also this morning the president had a breakfast and listening session with Major Pharmaceutical Company executives in the roosevelt room. Merck, johnson johnson, selene, eli lily, and the pharma trade groups were at the meeting. Chairman greg waldon, also participated. During the meeting the president commended their progress in lowering drug prices, and also reiterated his insist ens theres more work to be done. He promised to continue reducing the burdensome regulations that raise the cost of doing business in america. He was pleased to hear that the chairman have amgen, robert brayway discussed how 1600 american jobs will be added by amgen. This administration will continue to prioritize jobs and make it easier for businesses around this country to hire more americans. The president had lunch with mayor giuliani a short time ago who serves ats ceo of a mayor giuliani was asked to initiate this process because of his long and very successful government career in Law Enforcement and his 15 years in private sector security providing solutions for the challenges that we face in the cyber world. During the transition, the president announced that he intended to host a series of meetings with senior Corporate Executives from companies that are facing challenges such as hacking, intrusions, disruptions, manipulations, theft of data, identity, and securing information from technological infrastructures. These are the same challenges facing the government that are facing public entities and businesses and the president believes that solutions to these issues will often come from the private sector. Following the lunch with mayor giuliani the president will host a listening session with these Cyber Security experts and mayor giuliani. No consensus or advice on the recommendations resulting from the group