The week in Washington was dominated by hearings in the Senate to begin the confirmation process of President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees. Many of Trump's picks began their slog through committee questioning, but some are still waiting for their turns in the spotlight. Secretary of State nominee and former Exxon CEO Rex Tillerson was far from effusive when questioned on climate change, though he did state that he thinks the U.S. should "keep its seat at the table," with regard to the Paris agreement. Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke and EPA Administrator nominee Scott Pruitt are scheduled to begin their confirmation hearings on Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Democrats on the Senate's Environment and Public Works Committee are looking to hold their own hearing to question Pruitt, claiming that they need more information on the nominee's record than is likely to emerge in the full committee's confirmation hearing next week.
