are questions outstanding that will be, i m sure, delved into at his hearing. but i ve reached no decision. and, wolf, that just really raises the stakes for next week s confirmation hearings. what s given some republicans some nervousness is that after the hearings, the senate will go on a one-week recess meaning the nomination will hang out there for a week, up to two weeks before there s a vote getting forces on the left chances to mobilize. i m told that mitch mcconnell views puzder is incredibly important. he s telling folks that puzder is perhaps the most qualified of any nominee for the labor department in history. and also has raised some eyebrows because his wife elaine chao was the labor secretary under george bush for eight years. she s now the transportation secretary. about to be the transportation secretary, elaine chao. all right, thanks very much, manu raju up on capitol hill.
nominees by the time trump is sworn into office. if not, though, it could potentially delay other aspects of donald trump s agenda, including repealing obamacare. wolf. manu raju up on capitol hill, thanks very much. joining us now, tom cotton of arkansas. he serves on the intelligence and armed services committee, he served combat tours in iraq and afghanistan. thanks so much for joining us. good afternoon. happy new year. happy new year to you too. trump is suggesting he ll meet with putin. is that a good idea so early in all of this? it s important to keep in mind that vladimir putin is not a friend of the united states. while it s preeappropriate at t for the president to meet with adversary issues it s done on the side of g-20 meetings, i would not reward vladimir putin with a one on one bilateral summit early in donald trump s presidency. i would probably reach out to a our allies.