Preliminary Raimondo Senate Vote Scheduled For New Week

PROVIDENCE, RI — Rhode Island could officially have a new governor as soon as next week. Gov. Gina Raimondo is finally on the Senate vote calendar after her confirmation as Commerce Secretary was put on hold by Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

Monday evening, the full Senate is set to vote on a motion to invoke cloture on Raimondo's nomination, which, if approved, would place a time limit on the final confirmation vote.

Senator Sheldon Whitehouse said the Tuesday filing "tee[s] up a final vote next week."

"I look forward to a swift confirmation for our new Commerce Secretary," Whitehouse said.

Raimondo's confirmation vote has been on hold since early February, when Cruz placed a hold on the process.

"I’ll lift the hold when the Biden admin commits to keep the massive Chinese Communist Party spy operation Huawei on the Entity List," Cruz tweeted Feb. 4.

Raimondo confirmation: Read more

• U.S. Senate Committee Hearing Set For Raimondo Nomination
• Rhode Island Leaders Applaud Raimondo For Commerce Nomination
• Biden Formally Introduces RI Governor As Commerce Nominee