Vanderhoogen, Alnon Confirmed To Administration Positions

Nominees criticized for economic philosophy, inexperience

MAVOCKE, ARA--The Senate confirmed two of President Menuhaeo's nominees Tuesday, after nearly two hours of debate.

First confirmed, by a vote of 60-30, was Jan Vanderhoogen, nominated by Menuhaeo to hold the number two position at the Treasury Department. Supporters praised Mr. Vanderhoogen for his leadership and commentary while serving as chair of the Economics Department at Holden University in Grassadella Falls, Armana over the past four years.

"I can think of no one better prepared to serve our country in this time of economic turmoil than Jan Vanderhoogen," Sen. John Morandi (N-LIA) said on the Senate floor. Kalnier Senator Kallie Murray also hailed Vanderhoogen's "commitment to economic solvency."

Critics, mostly far-right Conservatives, criticized Vanderhoogen's past support for expanded government.

"We can't have someone who advocates quasi-socialism and government take-overs working in the Finance Department," Sen. Shannon Barbieri (C-POG), told his colleagues. Senator Ty Jaimeson (C-CEA) also told the STAR Radio Network he "didn't see much that made [me] want to vote for him."

When it came down to voting, however, fourteen Conservative senators voted to confirm Mr. Vanderhoogen, who will now serve under Finance Secretary Jay Goodling.

Also confirmed Tuesday, though by a narrower margin of 49-41, was Eric Alnon, nominated for Under Secretary of Education. President Menuhaeo nominated the 32-year-old Alnon, who previously served as Deputy Superintendent of Treeton Public Schools in Treeton, Monomi, for the position, to be served under Education Secretary Deborah Nassey.

Mr. Alnon came under fire from Conservative senators for his relative inexperience. Ceona Senator Megan Sellious (CNS), who served as Education Secretary under President Dan Byelle, said Alnon "lacks the necessary qualifications for the job," and told the NPF he would not be her "first choice" for the job.

"When I served as Education Secretary, and it wasn't that long ago because I was there right before I came here [the Senate], you had to have some qualifications. Yes, Mr. Alnon is serving in a prominent position at a large school district, but he has only been on the job for a few months. And that aside, he has very little experience," Sellious said on the Senate floor.

But Sen. Julie Wynmyer (DR-CAR), who is a former public school teacher, disagreed with Senator Sellious' argument.

"I'm a teacher, and I know a thing or two about education, and I think Mr. Alnon has some great ideas," Wynmyer said. "I think he could do some great things with what he's got, and I would like to see him employ those ideas."

Another Conservative Senator, Anna Corbev of Monomi, also disagreed with her colleague Sellious. Corbev spoke on behalf of Mr. Alnon's nomination.

"I've seen what he's done in Monomi, and he has done some great things for our state. I'm excited to see him take what he's done in Monomi and apply it at the national level," Corbev said.

In the end, Conservative Senators Corbev, Victoria Albright (CEA), Dick Ammons (HVN), Ayden Benning (NWP), Jay Burns (DES), Niles Gilcrest (VER), and Denna Halitz (EDS) helped push Mr. Alnon over the 45 vote-mark needed for confirmation. Three NAT Senators, Brian Altamont (DMG), Clinton Ashby (NWP), and Ann Kocheni (CAR), voted against Alnon.

Mr. Vanderhoogen and Mr. Alnon will both be sworn in tomorrow morning at a 10:00 a.m. ceremony in the Treasury building.