U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate Floor to criticize what he described as an unprecedented level of obstruction by Senate Democrats regarding President Donald J. Trump’s nominees.
Barrasso stated that current Senate procedures for confirming nominees have changed compared to previous administrations. He noted that under Presidents George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama, most nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. According to Barrasso, 98 percent of nominees under both George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton were confirmed this way, while the rate was 90 percent for both George W. Bush and Barack Obama.
He contrasted these figures with those from President Trump’s first term, saying: “Then, President Trump took office. And Democrat obstruction began. The numbers dropped from 90 percent under Obama to 65 percent in President Trump’s first term. Today, it has fallen to zero. Zero.”
Barrasso also pointed out that even during President Joe Biden’s administration—despite Republican opposition—57 percent of his nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent.
He argued that current Democratic tactics are delaying confirmations without clear justification: “Can a single Democrat in this chamber – without mentioning President Trump’s name – tell me why the legal advisor for advocacy for the Small Business Administration is somehow controversial?”
Barrasso recounted a recent exchange on the Senate floor where a Democratic senator reportedly could not provide details about a nominee they voted against except that the nominee was selected by President Trump.
“Why should this nominee be held up and filibustered? The Democrats can’t tell you why. They have no idea why other than it was the nomination by President Trump,” Barrasso said.
He asserted that such delays do not benefit communities or national interests: “Automatic Democrat obstruction does not make our communities safer. It does not make our country stronger. It does not make families and small businesses more prosperous. It just waste time and weakens America.”
Despite these challenges, Barrasso reported progress in confirming appointments: “Despite Democrats’ wall of obstruction, Senate Republicans continue to press forward. We’ve confirmed 120 nominees since President Trump’s second term began. We’re doing it one day, one vote, one nominee at a time.” He added that twice as many nominees have been confirmed so far in Trump’s second term compared to his first.
Barrasso concluded by affirming Republicans’ commitment to continue confirming nominations: “Let me be clear: Republicans are not backing down. We will continue to confirm President Trump’s nominees. The easy way if we can. The hard way if we must.”
“The American people elected President Trump and Senate Republicans to get America back on track,” he said.
