U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed reporters in Washington, D.C., outlining the Republican strategy to address what he described as a “historic blockade” by Democrats of President Donald J. Trump’s nominees.
Barrasso stated: “Republicans are ready to take action to overcome this historic blockade by the Democrats of President Trump’s nominees. The Democrats have done absolutely everything they can possibly do to prevent President Trump from getting his team in place and on the job.
“The Democrats have filibustered every single nominee that has come from President Trump to the Floor of the United States Senate – filibustered every one that’s got to the Floor and this is after every one of these nominees has gone through the committee process, has gone through FBI vetting, has been investigated, has answered questions in the committees, and has been voted successfully out of committees – many of these in bipartisan ways. So, it is time now to return to this historic, long-term tradition of the Senate confirming people in groups.
“Senator Klobuchar and Senator King, when they introduced their resolution and their legislation in 2023, they did it at a time when 62% of Joe Biden’s nominees had been confirmed by unanimous consent and by voice vote. At this point – eight months into the Trump term – zero, absolutely zero nominees have been confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent.
“As a result, it is time to return to the historic role of the Senate of advise and consent. And to do that, Senate Republicans are committed to changing the rules.”
Barrasso compared current confirmation rates for President Trump’s nominees with those during President Joe Biden’s administration. He referenced data showing that a majority—62 percent—of Biden’s nominees were approved either unanimously or via voice vote within eight months; however, no such approvals have occurred for Trump’s picks so far during his current term.
Senate Republicans plan rule changes aimed at streamlining confirmations as part of efforts to address delays attributed by Barrasso and other GOP leaders to Democratic opposition.
