Biden Cabinet Risks Slow Start With Lag in Senate Confirmations

Joe Biden will begin his presidency next week with a cabinet made up mostly of acting officials as delays in the Senate slow confirmation of his top choices for key positions including the secretaries of Defense and Treasury.

Senators have set Jan. 19, the day before Biden is sworn in, for hearings on his nominees for Homeland Security, Defense, State and Treasury -- four key posts that are often targeted for confirmation just hours after a president in sworn in. But they might not be confirmed and able to start work for days or even weeks later.

The House’s expected ...