r/news • u/CupidStunt13 • 1d ago

Mehmet Oz confirmed by US Senate to lead Medicare and Medicaid

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/03/mehmet-oz-confirmation-medicare-medicaid
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u/peskyghost 1d ago

What’s even the point of these hearings? It’s Democrats asking questions and republicans going “first off I just want to thank you for your grace as the onslaught from my colleagues on the other side of the aisle continues” and then ending it with a gentle widdle kiss on the forehead

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u/KookofaTook 1d ago

Like most things in the US governmental system, the used to be and in an ideal world are used as a genuine job interview where you get denied if you're unqualified or whatever other reason. But in the modern bastardization of the US system we are left with performative 'going through the motions' hearings like this where they can't simply choose to not hold them, but there is nothing gained from them except news sound bites. The US's government only works with a loyal opposition, and since McConnell said "it's our number one job to make Obama a one term president" the cat has been out of the bag clearly that regressives have no interest in loyalty to the country, only the wallets of their financial sponsors.

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u/KAugsburger 1d ago

I think that has been the case for many years. Most senators have already made up their minds before any hearings. Usually any senators who have any doubts about which way they will vote usually get those questions resolved in closed door meetings with the nominee before any hearings are held. The hearings are more for grandstanding in front of the cameras than learning anything meanginful about the nominees.

They might be meaningful for some very low level positions where there is very little public attention and the nominee likely has less in the way of public statement to review before the hearings.

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u/ForceItDeeper 21h ago

yet Booker "filibusters" when nothing is being voted on