Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate
4/13/2026
Action Summary
- Nominations Sent to the Senate:
- Erin Browne (New York): Nominee for Under Secretary of the Treasury.
- Brian Cavanaugh (Maryland): Nominee for Under Secretary for Management, Department of Homeland Security.
- Thomas B. Chapman (Maryland): Nominee for Member of the National Transportation Safety Board (term ending December 31, 2028, reappointment).
- Brock Dahl (Maryland): Nominee for Legal Adviser, Department of State.
- Jason Holt (Oklahoma): Nominee for United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma (four-year term).
- James Macy (Wisconsin): Nominee for Member of the National Labor Relations Board (five-year term expiring August 27, 2030).
- David M. Prouty (Maryland): Nominee for Member of the National Labor Relations Board (five-year term expiring August 27, 2031, reappointment).
- Michelle Steel (California): Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Korea.
- Michael Tierney (Pennsylvania): Nominee for Assistant Secretary of Veterans Affairs (Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection).
- Timothy VerHey (Michigan): Nominee for United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan (four-year term).
- Eric Wendt (California): Nominee for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Albania.
- James Woodruff (Florida): Nominee for Chairman of the Merit Systems Protection Board.
- Withdrawal Sent to the Senate:
- Troy Edgar (California): Withdrawal of nomination for Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Republic of El Salvador (initially sent on January 29, 2026).
Risks & Considerations
- The recent nominations and appointments related to federal positions could lead to significant shifts in policy that may impact Vanderbilt University. For instance, changes in leadership at the Department of Education or the National Labor Relations Board could affect federal funding, educational policy, and labor relations in higher education.
- The withdrawal of a nomination for an ambassador position indicates potential instability in international relations, which could affect Vanderbilt’s global partnerships and international student recruitment, particularly in regions of interest such as El Salvador.
- The appointments of individuals to key roles within the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Veterans Affairs may lead to changes in regulations that impact campus security and veteran services, requiring Vanderbilt to adapt its strategies to maintain compliance and ensure the safety of its community.
- Increased scrutiny on federal funding practices and potential investigations into race-based scholarships may pose compliance risks for Vanderbilt. The university may need to reassess its financial aid strategies to align with any new regulations or guidelines that emerge.
Impacted Programs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center may need to navigate funding uncertainties due to potential changes in federal health policies and budget cuts stemming from shifts in the administration.
- The Peabody College of Education and Human Development could face challenges in securing federal grants for educational programs, particularly if there are shifts in educational priorities at the federal level.
- Vanderbilt’s Office of Global Engagement may need to reassess its international partnerships and recruitment strategies in light of changing diplomatic relations and immigration policies.
- The Office of Financial Aid will likely need to revise its scholarship programs to ensure compliance with any new federal guidelines regarding race-based funding.
Financial Impact
- Potential changes in federal funding for higher education could significantly impact Vanderbilt’s revenue streams, particularly if funding for research and student financial aid is reduced.
- The university may need to explore alternative funding sources or partnerships to compensate for any losses in federal support, particularly given the substantial reliance on NIH and other federal grants.
- Changes in leadership at relevant federal agencies could influence grant opportunities, necessitating a strategic shift in how Vanderbilt approaches grant applications and partnerships.
- Financial aid strategies may need to adapt in response to changes in federal guidelines, potentially affecting student enrollment and diversity initiatives.
Relevance Score: 4 (The nominations and appointments could lead to significant changes in policy, impacting funding and compliance for the university.)
Key Actions
- The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the nominations sent to the Senate closely, particularly those related to the Department of Education and the Department of Homeland Security. Engaging with the appointed individuals could help Vanderbilt align its strategic initiatives with federal priorities, especially regarding funding and educational policies.
- Vanderbilt’s Leadership should prepare to address any changes in federal policy resulting from the new appointments, particularly those that may impact research funding and educational programs. Developing a proactive communication strategy with the Senate to advocate for Vanderbilt’s interests could mitigate potential funding cuts.
- The Research and Innovation Office should assess the implications of the new appointments on federal research grants, especially those from the NIH and NSF. Understanding the priorities of incoming officials will be essential for securing future funding and maintaining Vanderbilt’s strong research portfolio.
- The Legal and Compliance Office needs to review current practices in light of the potential investigations into race-based scholarships and programs. Ensuring compliance with federal guidelines will be crucial in maintaining Vanderbilt’s funding and reputation.
- University Communications should prepare to articulate Vanderbilt’s position on educational and research policies to the public and stakeholders. This will enhance the university’s visibility and influence in the evolving political landscape.
Opportunities
- The nominations provide an opportunity for Vanderbilt to engage with new leaders in key federal agencies. Building relationships with these officials could lead to advantageous partnerships and funding opportunities that align with Vanderbilt’s strategic goals.
- With a focus on national security and management in the Department of Homeland Security, Vanderbilt can position its research initiatives to align with federal priorities, potentially leading to new funding avenues.
- The emphasis on labor relations through the National Labor Relations Board offers a chance for Vanderbilt’s programs in law and policy to influence discussions on labor rights and educational equity.
Relevance Score: 4 (The new nominations present opportunities for major process changes to align with federal policies and funding priorities.)
Timeline for Implementation
- April 13, 2026 – Deadline for Nominations & Appointments sent to the Senate.
- January 29, 2026 – Deadline for the Withdrawal submission sent to the Senate.
The earliest (shortest) timeline is January 29, 2026, which has been used for scoring.
Relevance Score: 3
Impacted Government Organizations
- Department of the Treasury: Erin Browne has been nominated to serve as an Under Secretary, affecting policy and financial oversight functions within the Treasury.
- Department of Homeland Security: Brian Cavanaugh’s nomination for Under Secretary for Management impacts the department’s administrative and management operations.
- National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB): Thomas B. Chapman’s reappointment affects this independent agency that oversees transportation safety.
- Department of State: Brock Dahl’s nomination as Legal Adviser, along with ambassadorial nominations (Michelle Steel for Korea and Eric Wendt for Albania) and the withdrawal of Troy Edgar’s nomination for El Salvador, impacts U.S. foreign policy and diplomatic relations.
- United States Marshals Service: Jason Holt’s nomination as United States Marshal for the Northern District of Oklahoma impacts federal law enforcement and judicial processes.
- National Labor Relations Board: The nominations of James Macy and David M. Prouty to the NLRB affect the federal oversight of labor practices and dispute resolution.
- Department of Veterans Affairs: Michael Tierney’s nomination as Assistant Secretary (Office of Accountability and Whistleblower Protection) affects oversight within the Veterans Affairs system.
- U.S. Attorney’s Office: Timothy VerHey’s nomination as United States Attorney for the Western District of Michigan impacts federal prosecutions and legal proceedings in that district.
- Merit Systems Protection Board: James Woodruff’s nomination as Chairman impacts the safeguarding of merit-based employment practices within the federal workforce.
Relevance Score: 3 (6-10 agencies are impacted by these nominations and appointments.)
Responsible Officials
- N/A – The document lists nominations and withdrawals sent to the Senate and does not include explicit directives for implementation by agency officials.
Relevance Score: 1 (The actions pertain solely to the nomination process without direct impact on policy implementation at any agency level.)