Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), the Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate on Thursday regarding ongoing delays in confirming President Donald J. Trump’s nominees. Barrasso criticized Senate Democrats for what he described as unprecedented obstruction in the confirmation process.
“Senate Republicans are prepared to break the Democrat nominations blockade. Senate Republicans are determined to overcome Senate Democrats’ confirmation obstruction. Senate Republicans are prepared to restore the Senate to the way it is supposed to work,” said Barrasso.
He referred to a longstanding tradition where most presidential nominees were confirmed quickly by voice vote or unanimous consent, but claimed this practice has been set aside by current Democratic leadership. “For two centuries, most presidential nominees have sailed through this chamber by voice vote and by unanimous consent. That was the gold standard of advice and consent. Senator Schumer and Senate Democrats abandoned it. Instead of deliberation, Senate Democrats chose unprecedented delay. That ends now,” he stated.
Barrasso argued that 210 hours had been spent this year on procedural steps rather than legislative debate on issues such as crime prevention, border security, energy policy, and economic growth.
The senator pointed out that many important government positions remain unfilled due to these delays, including roles at the National Counterintelligence and Security Center, Department of Energy’s nuclear security division, key ambassador posts in NATO countries, CIA Inspector General, and Deputy Trade Representative.
According to Barrasso: “Empty positions invite Russia, China, and Iran to test us. The unquestionable, the undeniable, the irrefutable, the inescapable fact is that Democrat obstruction makes America less safe.”
He also compared current actions with previous periods when large groups of nominees from presidents of both parties were confirmed together by unanimous consent—including during presidencies of George W. Bush, Barack Obama, Donald Trump’s first term, and Joe Biden—arguing that Democrats had supported such processes until recently.
“Four years ago, 36 nominees from President Joe Biden were confirmed in a single group. Who personally came to the Senate Floor and asked for unanimous consent? The current Minority Leader Chuck Schumer,” Barrasso noted.
Barrasso said Republican senators would now resume group confirmations while maintaining all standard committee hearings and background checks for each nominee: “Every committee hearing and markup will still happen… Scrutiny of each and every nominee will continue.”
He concluded with a message directed at his Democratic colleagues: “If you disagree with our effort to get the Senate working again – It is up to you to explain to the American people why you chose to paralyze the Senate.”
