Nominations and Withdrawal Sent to the Senate

5/11/2026

Nominations & Appointments

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Action Summary

Nominations Sent to the Senate:
- Deputy Secretary of the Treasury: Francis Brooke (Virginia).
- Administrator, FEMA (Department of Homeland Security): Cameron Hamilton (Virginia).
- Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs): Brendan Hanrahan (New York).
- Surface Transportation Board Member (term until December 31, 2030): Karen Jean Hedlund (New York).
- Ambassador to Jamaica: Kari Lake (Arizona).
- Ambassador to the Slovak Republic: Douglas Mastriano (Pennsylvania).
- Commissioner, Labor Statistics (four-year term): Brett Matsumoto (Maryland).
- National Mediation Board Member (term until July 1, 2028): Douglas Ralph (Kentucky).
- Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking (Ambassador at Large): Barbera Thornhill (North Carolina).
- Medical Director and Surgeon General, Public Health Service (four-year term): Nicole Saphier (New Jersey).
- Administrator, Transportation Security Administration (five-year term): David Cummins (Virginia).
- Inspector General, Department of Education: Heidi Semann (Missouri).
- National Credit Union Administration Board Member (term until August 2, 2031): John Crews (Virginia).
Withdrawal Sent to the Senate:
- Medical Director and Surgeon General, Public Health Service (four-year term): Casey Means (California) nomination withdrawn.

Risks & Considerations

The recent nominations and appointments may significantly alter the leadership within key federal agencies, including the Department of Treasury and the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Changes in leadership could lead to shifts in policy direction that may affect federal funding and support for higher education initiatives.
With the appointment of individuals to influential positions, such as the Administrator of FEMA and the Commissioner of Labor Statistics, there is a risk that Vanderbilt University may need to adapt to new federal priorities or regulations that could impact its operations and funding.
The nomination of a new Surgeon General may lead to changes in public health policies that could affect university health policies, particularly regarding student health services and research funding related to health initiatives.
Potential shifts in federal leadership may influence Vanderbilt’s compliance requirements, especially concerning federal grants and funding initiatives. This necessitates close monitoring of these appointments and their implications for university policies.

Impacted Programs

Vanderbilt’s School of Medicine may need to prepare for changes in public health policy and funding, particularly if the new Surgeon General implements new health programs.
The Office of Federal Relations at Vanderbilt will need to engage actively with new appointees to ensure that the university’s interests are represented and that it adapts to any new policies or funding opportunities.
Vanderbilt’s Emergency Management Team may need to reassess its strategies and operations in light of new leadership at FEMA and associated changes in disaster response protocols and funding.
Research initiatives related to labor statistics and economic policy may see new funding opportunities or shifts in focus depending on the priorities of the newly appointed Commissioner of Labor Statistics.

Financial Impact

Changes in the leadership of the Department of Treasury and FEMA could affect the availability and allocation of federal grants, which may impact Vanderbilt’s funding landscape significantly.
The university may need to adapt its financial strategies in response to new policies or regulations set forth by the new appointees, particularly those that could influence economic conditions or federal funding availability.
There may be increased competition for federal funding, particularly if the new administration prioritizes particular areas of research or public service, necessitating a proactive approach in grant applications and partnerships.
Any changes in federal health policies could lead to financial implications for Vanderbilt’s health-related programs and services, necessitating adjustments in funding models and resource allocations.

Relevance Score: 3 (The nominations present moderate risks involving compliance and potential shifts in funding and policy direction.)

Key Actions

The Office of Federal Relations should monitor the nominations and appointments made by the administration, particularly those related to health and education sectors, as they could influence future policies and funding opportunities for Vanderbilt University. Engaging with newly appointed officials could facilitate advocacy for the university’s interests.
The School of Medicine should prepare to engage with the new Surgeon General, Nicole Saphier, to discuss Vanderbilt’s contributions to public health and potential partnerships in health initiatives that align with her priorities.
The Department of Education should assess the implications of the new Inspector General’s oversight on federal education programs, ensuring compliance and alignment with Vanderbilt’s educational objectives. This proactive stance will help mitigate any risks associated with regulatory changes.
Vanderbilt’s Emergency Management Office should establish communication with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) under Cameron Hamilton to explore potential collaborations on disaster preparedness and response initiatives important for campus safety.

Opportunities

The nominations for key positions related to transportation and labor statistics present an opportunity for Vanderbilt’s School of Engineering to engage in research projects that align with federal initiatives. Collaboration with these agencies could enhance the university’s research portfolio and funding prospects.
The appointment of Barbera Thornhill as Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking opens avenues for Vanderbilt’s programs focused on social justice and public policy. Partnering with her office could lead to impactful research and advocacy efforts.

Relevance Score: 4 (Major adjustments may be needed to processes to align with new federal appointments and initiatives.)

Average Relevance Score: 3.4

Timeline for Implementation

May 11, 2026 – All nominations and withdrawals are sent to the Senate on this date.

Relevance Score: 1

Impacted Government Organizations

Department of the Treasury: Francis Brooke’s nomination as Deputy Secretary of the Treasury impacts this agency.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA): Cameron Hamilton’s nomination as Administrator of FEMA, which is a component of the Department of Homeland Security, affects this agency.
Transportation Security Administration (TSA): David Cummins’ nomination as Administrator of TSA directly impacts this agency, also under the Department of Homeland Security.
Department of State: Brendan Hanrahan’s nomination as Assistant Secretary of State (European and Eurasian Affairs) and the ambassadorial nominations (Kari Lake for Jamaica and Douglas Mastriano for the Slovak Republic) impact this agency.
Surface Transportation Board (STB): Karen Jean Hedlund’s nomination as a Board Member for the STB impacts this independent regulatory body.
Department of Labor: Brett Matsumoto’s nomination as Commissioner of Labor Statistics affects the Department of Labor.
National Mediation Board: Douglas Ralph’s nomination as a Member of the Board impacts this organization.
Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking: Barbera Thornhill’s nomination as Director of this office (with the rank of Ambassador at Large) impacts the agency charged with monitoring and combating trafficking.
Public Health Service: Nicole Saphier’s nomination as Medical Director and Surgeon General impacts this agency; note that Casey Means’ withdrawal for the same role also points to oversight issues within this entity.
Department of Education: Heidi Semann’s nomination as Inspector General impacts oversight within this department.
National Credit Union Administration: John Crews’ nomination as a Member of the Board for the NCUA impacts this independent federal agency.

Relevance Score: 4 (Between 11-15 agencies are impacted by these nominations and withdrawals.)

Responsible Officials

Deputy Secretary of the Treasury – Responsible for assisting the Treasury Secretary in managing the Department’s policies and operations (Francis Brooke, nominee).
Administrator, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) – Charged with directing emergency management and disaster response operations under the Department of Homeland Security (Cameron Hamilton, nominee).
Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs – Oversees diplomatic and policy initiatives in the designated regions (Brendan Hanrahan, nominee).
Member, Surface Transportation Board – Responsible for regulatory oversight of surface transportation (Karen Jean Hedlund, nominee through December 31, 2030).
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Jamaica – Represents U.S. interests abroad with full authority in Jamaica (Kari Lake, nominee).
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Slovak Republic – Acts as the chief diplomatic representative in the Slovak Republic (Douglas Mastriano, nominee).
Commissioner, Labor Statistics – Directs the collection and analysis of labor-related data, setting standards over a four-year term (Brett Matsumoto, nominee).
Member, National Mediation Board – Participates in resolving labor disputes and mediating negotiations (Douglas Ralph, nominee with term expiring July 1, 2028).
Director, Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking – Leads initiatives to identify and combat trafficking, holding ambassadorial rank (Barbera Thornhill, nominee).
Medical Director / Surgeon General, Public Health Service – Sets public health policies and guides health service operations (Nicole Saphier, nominee; note that the nomination of Casey Means for this post was withdrawn).
Administrator, Transportation Security Administration – Oversees security measures for the nation’s transportation systems over a five‐year term (David Cummins, nominee).
Inspector General, Department of Education – Responsible for auditing and ensuring integrity within the Department’s operations (Heidi Semann, nominee).
Member, National Credit Union Administration Board – Participates in overseeing the federal credit union system with regulatory authority (John Crews, nominee with term expiring August 2, 2031).

Relevance Score: 5 (Directives affect high-ranking agency leaders and key diplomatic positions that hold significant influence on national policy).