Senate Republicans have cautioned that failing to block the confirmation of over 140 appointments made by President Trump, along with overcoming significant hurdles, could set a troubling precedent for years to come.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune is making strides in confirmations, but the stringent tactics employed by Democrats have forced him to expend valuable floor time, which has caused notable delays for nominees waiting for their turn. Republicans assert that Democrats’ insistence on numerous roll-call votes for Trump’s nominees marks a significant departure from established practices, anticipating some “ugly” consequences if this tough approach persists.
“There are numerous nominees on the bipartisan list,” Thune mentioned to the press recently. “Historically, there was a precedent allowing many of them to be confirmed without going through the lengthy procedures we face now.”
“At some point, we’ll see if Democrats want to cooperate. I think they’re taking some risks. It’s a precedent that could come back to haunt them,” Thune added. “We have a job to do, and it’s crucial to fill key positions in government.”
According to several GOP senators discontented with the situation, the Democrats’ tactics to stall presidential candidate confirmations are unprecedented. Senate Democrats are pushing for procedural votes that effectively bog down all previous presidential nominations, a stark contrast to the treatment of Marco Rubio, who became Secretary of State shortly after Trump’s inauguration.
Democrats have dismissed Republican claims that they are obstructing most Trump nominees by subjecting them to multiple roll-call votes. “We have the votes. There is no obstruction here,” said Connecticut Senator Richard Blumenthal. “They must adhere to the rules.”
However, this approach by Democrats, which delays nearly every candidate, contrasts sharply with the more cooperative stance Republicans had with Biden’s nominees, with about 60% being approved through unanimous consent during his administration.
The ongoing refusal among Senate Democrats to expedite lower-tier candidates has frustrated GOP senators who previously voted for Biden’s nominees without negativity, feeling the same could be afforded to Trump’s selections.
“We showed that we could work with them. Our nominees under Biden experienced unanimous consent,” said Republican Senator Mark Wayne Mullin. “They gave zero for Trump’s nominees.”
Democrats’ stalling methods have left many lower-level executive appointments, typically considered non-controversial, struggling to secure Senate approval, where they are now facing time constraints.
Republican Sam Brown, a former Senate candidate and Army veteran, is still waiting for confirmation as the Executive Director for the Veterans Affairs Division, over six months after his nomination. Thune initiated cloture on Brown’s appointment, but Democrats are poised to demand procedural votes before any final confirmation.
His predecessor, Matthew Quinn, had been confirmed by unanimous consent in June 2021.
Kansas Senator Jerry Moran, who chairs the Senate Veterans Committee, expressed disappointment in June regarding Brown’s appointment, urging unanimous consent for his confirmation, only to face opposition from Blumenthal due to concerns about potential budget cuts at the Veterans Affairs Bureau.
“This isn’t a partisan issue; it’s about honoring our veterans and serving their families with dignity,” Moran remarked on the Senate floor. “It’s disheartening that we cannot come together to confirm qualified leaders for this important role.”
Senate Republicans are warning of retaliation if the Democrats continue their current approach to delay Trump’s nominations. Thune indicated a looming change if Democrats do not ease their obstruction, referring to this approach as a game they are playing. “If they persist, this won’t end well,” he said.
Trump has indicated that all options are available to address the backlog, even suggesting that they might cancel an upcoming August break for the Senate. A representative from the White House stated, “Senate Democrats must stop undermining the will of the American people and check President Trump’s nominees promptly.”
