At a hearing held earlier this week, Senate Democrats voiced opposition to the idea that Pete Hegseth should be confirmed as Defense secretary.

However, hearings for some of President-elect Donald Trump's other nominees have been stalled due to bureaucratic delays. 

Senators have not received necessary documents for multiple nominees

According to Fox News, that's why hearings for secretary of Veterans' Affairs nominee Doug Collins and secretary of the Interior nominee Doug Burgum could not proceed on Tuesday as scheduled.

At issue was senators being slow to receive necessary documents, a problem which also kept Secretary of Homeland Security nominee Kristi Noem from having her hearing take place as well.

Confirmation delays stack up for Trump nominees as paperwork lags in federal offices https://t.co/mxy72GBUSW

— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 16, 2025

A source said to be familiar with the matter indicated that the South Dakota Republican governor "had completed all necessary paperwork in a timely manner."

Nevertheless, the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee is still waiting for the FBI to hand over its report.

Chairman of Veterans' Affairs Committee voices frustration with FBI's slow pace

Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran chairs the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs, and he voiced frustration with America's top law enforcement agency.

"Congressman Doug Collins has submitted all his paperwork in a timely manner and has been transparent and forthcoming with the committee," Moran was quoted as saying in a statement.

"At this time, the FBI has not completed its customary background check of Congressman Collins," the Republican lawmaker complained.

"In accordance with long-standing practice, the committee should have an opportunity to review Congressman Collins’ FBI file before the confirmation hearing," Moran continued.

Source says recent bad weather was partly to blame for government delays

"I expect the FBI to complete its review quickly so that the committee can move forward with its role of evaluating the President’s nominee," he added.

Fox News noted that Collins' hearing is now expected to take place on Tuesday, one day after Trump has taken his oath of office.

Meanwhile, the network cited a source who indicated that sluggishness on the FBI's part is not the only obstacle to getting nominees confirmed.

The figure also pointed to a pair of recent snow days in the nation's capital which have delayed the work of getting documents processed. CBS News reported on January 7 that Washington, D.C. had received over half a foot of snow.