N.C. senators to lay out Cabinet confirmation process

RALEIGH — Republicans in the North Carolina state Senate are ready to talk about how the chamber will carry out its new job of formally scrutinizing the governor's Cabinet.

Leaders of a Senate nominations committee scheduled a meeting Tuesday to lay out the confirmation process.

The General Assembly approved a law last month two weeks before Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper took office directing his 10 department heads to be subject to the "advice and consent" by a majority of senators. Cooper says the law is unconstitutional and has sued to try to block it, but there's nothing to prevent senators from moving forward.

The eight Cabinet secretaries Cooper has named to date already are sworn in and are able to perform their duties.