Prove that JD Vance’s Capitol Hill connection is essential for checking Trump’s cabinets
Vice President JD Vance He has emerged as a key player in President Donald Trump’s efforts to close deals with senators and move cabinet candidates into a difficult verification process.
Vance is becoming an increasingly reliable voice Republican Senatora familiar source shared with Fox News Digital.
The Upper Chamber Republicans also view the Vice President as a sincere broker on how to advance Trump’s agenda, the source added, saying this has established confidence in Vance.
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Center Vice President JD Vance has been a key facilitator for attracting vulnerable candidates for past committees. (Getty Images)
When it was up to win two of Trump’s most controversial candidates across their respective committees, Vance stepped up to support, sources said.
Both National Intelligence Directors (DNI) candidates Tarshi Gabbard And Robert F. Kennedy Jr., candidate for the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), faced uncertainty ahead of the key hurdles of the Intelligence Email Committee and the Senate Finance Committee, respectively.
Each committee housed potentially hesitant Republicans who expressed initial uncertainty about the candidate. During the important committee-level voting, Gabbard and Kennedy could not afford to lose the support of one of the Republicans.
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Tarsi Gabbard, president of President Donald Trump’s National Intelligence Email Director, testifies at a confirmation hearing before the Senate Intelligence Email Committee in the Darksen Senate Office building on January 30, 2025 in Washington, DC Arrived for (Getty Images)
Eventually, Gabbard won the last minute support of R-Maine Sen. Todd Young, as well as the support of R-Maine Sen. Susan Collins.
Similarly, Kennedy was able to garner Young’s support before the committee voted, and doctor R-La. Senator Bill Cassidy announced plans to vote for the candidate just minutes before it happens.
A considerable amount of effort was underway behind closed doors to close these votes. This included Vance’s key lawyers for the senators.
The vice president spoke several times to both Young and Cassidy, leading to the recent committee votes that will advance to the Senate floor, sources told Fox News Digital. In these conversations, Vance leaves behind concerns the senators had with the candidates.
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Vice President JD Vance had several conversations with both Sens. Bill Cassidy and Todd Young. (Getty Images/Reuters)
Many other administrative authorities also had calls with Young and Cassidy, which also helped them to analyse lingering questions.
Vance’s dialogue proved to be compelling. This was detailed by sources due to the long-established relationship with both House members he served until January.
“I think he was in this role because of his existing relationship with us,” Young told reporters.
According to the senator, Vance is respectful and in fact “heard a lot more than he spoke.”
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Vice President JD Vance served in the Senate until last month. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
The Vice President was also “effective” in particular for Young to get the necessary concessions needed to reach yes to the candidate.
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“He went through, he delivered for me, and I’m grateful for it,” Young said.
The Indiana Senator added: “He is a Midwest Marine, and we share a lot of concern about the marginalized, overlooked and underprivileged people.