Shortly after President Obama was inaugurated yesterday, the Senate confirmed Arne Duncan as secretary of education by voice vote. Duncan and about half a dozen other Cabinet appointees - including Eric Shinseki as secretary of veterans affairs - were confirmed by voice vote on Tuesday.

The Senate also confirmed Peter Orszag to lead the White House's Office of Management and Budget.

One of Obama's first acts as President also came shortly after his inauguration. White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel signed a memorandum ordering a stop to all pending regulations the Bush Administration was working to enact at the end of his presidency. The move will allow the Obama Administration to review any regulations that are still pending. The order to halt was sent to all federal agencies and departments.

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