The nominations and confirmations process is a cornerstone of American governance, but how does it actually work? Continuing our discussion on the confirmation process, Elisa sits down with retired Marine Corps Major General Arnold Punaro, a veteran of Capitol Hill and author of If Confirmed: An Insider’s View of the National Security Process. Together, they explore the three phases of confirmation, the role of the Federal Vacancies Act, and the complexities of vetting nominees for positions like Secretary of Defense.

Arnold L. Punaro is a retired United States Marine Corps Major General, and CEO of The Punaro Group and IronArch Technology

References:

Punaro, Arnold L. If Confirmed: An Insider’s View of the National Security Confirmation Process. Fortis Adducent, Inc, 2024.

S. 2176 - Federal Vacancies Reform Act of 1998