Here is a list of dates and times for Senate confirmation hearings for those who would be members of President-elect Obama’s Cabinet.

As I write this, it appears that the Senate Republicans have managed to kill the auto bailout.  A “compromise” amendment seems to have failed, as the U.A.W. has refused to give a “date certain”–anytime in 2009–at which they will reach parity with other automakers in terms of salaries.

The vote on cloture–a Senate procedure which requires 60 affirmative votes to end debate and bring a bill to a vote–was the critical issue in this case.  Pro-bailout folks needed to come up with 60 affirmative votes in order to bring the bill to a vote–in which instance, there would probably be enough–assuming the Democrats stuck together–to pass the final bill.

Ben Nelson voted “yes” on the vote for cloture–fortunately there weren’t enough who voted “yes”, but Nelson’s vote suggests that Nebraskans will need to watch him very carefully in the new Congress.