NC Senate confirms Hall as Military and Veterans Affairs secretary
The state Senate voted 47-0 Monday night to confirm Larry Hall as secretary of North Carolina's Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
Although the confirmation process has been the subject of dispute between Gov. Roy Cooper and legislative Republicans, Hall's nomination has not been in doubt since he appeared before the Senate Commerce Committee last week. A Marine veteran and former state House member, Hall was a well-received choice to head the state agency.
"Clearly, we all understand he's qualified," said Sen. Don Davis, D-Greene, who extended his endorsement both as a senator and an Air Force veteran.
Sen. Floyd McKissick, D-Durham, did raise an objection to the vote as "premature," noting that a trial debating the constitutionality of the confirmation process was due to begin in Wake County Superior Court on Tuesday. While this statement drew criticism from McKissick's Republican colleagues, no senator assailed Hall's credentials.
After the Senate vote, Senate Rules Chairman Bill Rabon, R-Brunswick, said the next cabinet secretary to face confirmation would be Erik Hooks, whom Cooper has appointed to run the Department of Public Safety. No date has been set for that hearing.
Rabon told reporters that Cooper has asked the Senate to subpoena any cabinet secretaries for whom they hold hearings. Hall was invited to three meetings during which he did not appear, but he did appear at a fourth session for which he was subpoenaed.
