The initiative to adjust Senate rules for confirming President Donald Trump’s nominees gained traction on Tuesday when Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso endorsed the process. In an article in the Wall Street Journal, Barrasso criticized the intense delays imposed by Senate Democrats and advocated for reforms to streamline the confirmation of nearly all presidential appointees. This follows Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer’s successful use of procedural tactics to prolong the confirmation of Trump’s nominees back in August.
Barrasso pointed out that out of over 1,000 senior appointments needing Senate approval, only 135 have been confirmed so far, claiming that even the most straightforward candidates are facing fierce opposition. “It’s time to change the Senate confirmation rules,” he stated.
He noted the Senate GOP leadership is currently wasting valuable floor time in the process, which could be expedited through unanimous consent—something more common during the previous administration.
Barrasso remarked on how the Democrats can’t demand multiple roll call votes for more than 40 candidates for each individual nominee. “It used to take just a few seconds to handle these matters. Now it can take several days,” he said.
However, Schumer continues to disrupt the confirmation process by insisting on individual roll call votes for each nominee. The Democrats have openly celebrated their ability to obstruct the nominations, especially after making deals with the president, while Trump rejected Schumer’s proposals involving funding for certain entities.
“We’re blocking these candidates,” Schumer declared in an interview, claiming the need to use all available methods to delay confirmations. He described the nominees as historically bad, justifying the Democratic tactics as a necessary response to frustration over the nominations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune also expressed a willingness to reform Senate rules to expedite the confirmation process, noting that only a small percentage of nominees have been confirmed by mid-August, indicating a breakdown in the system.
While Barrasso has not specified which rule changes he supports, various GOP Senators have suggested potential reforms before the Senate’s August recess. Republican Senator Rand Paul mentioned specific adjustments that could eliminate unnecessary motions and streamline voting processes, though he acknowledged that if negotiations fail, the situation could remain stagnant.
A spokesperson for Schumer did not respond immediately to requests for a comment.
