Senate Republicans are fuming over what they call a deliberate Democratic roadblock stalling President Donald Trump’s picks for key judicial and executive roles.
According to the Daily Signal, the heart of the issue is simple: GOP senators accuse Democrats of dragging their feet on confirmations, creating a frustrating backlog of unconfirmed nominees despite the Senate, under Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., confirming 107 civilian nominees this year—nearly double the 55 at this point in Trump’s first term.
Under Thune’s leadership, the Senate has been a hive of activity, racking up 437 votes, a 35-year record for this stage of a congressional session.
Yet, Republicans point fingers at Democrats for forcing cloture votes on 22 civilian nominees—every single one of whom sailed past with at least 60 votes once the filibuster nonsense was cleared.
Democrats have filibustered all but one of Trump’s nominees, with Marco Rubio’s confirmation as Secretary of State on day one of the administration standing as the lone exception.
“Democrats have filibustered all but one,” said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-WY, on the Senate floor, highlighting Rubio’s swift approval. Isn’t it curious how the one role that couldn’t wait gets a pass, while others languish in partisan purgatory?
Barrasso didn’t stop there, noting Democrats have even filibustered roles like the chief of protocol for the State Department, which historically didn’t even need a roll call vote. When did ceremonial positions become the hill to die on?
“Democrats filibustered the undersecretary of defense for research and engineering,” Barrasso added, pointing to critical national security roles caught in the crossfire. If defense isn’t urgent, what is?
These aren’t controversial picks or radical ideologues; they’re standard positions often approved by unanimous consent in the past, now mired in what looks like petty obstructionism.
The backlog is so severe that Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, warned on social media that at the current pace, nominees awaiting floor votes won’t be confirmed until well into next year. That’s a long wait for critical roles to be filled.
“Time for recess appointments,” shot back Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., on the same platform, echoing a growing GOP sentiment. If the Senate won’t act, why not use the constitutional tool of recess appointments, which allow temporary fills without confirmation?
President Trump himself has weighed in, urging Thune on Truth Social to cancel the Senate’s lengthy upcoming break and push through his “incredible nominees.” When the boss speaks, you’d think the urgency would sink in.
Thune, for his part, has options on the table, including extending the Senate workweek to seven days or scrapping the traditional August recess altogether. With a backlog this big, a little overtime seems like the least they could do.
“Democrats were blocking and obstructing at every turn,” Thune remarked on the “Ruthless” podcast, summing up the frustration felt by many in his party. While the GOP pushes forward with record votes, it’s hard not to see this as a calculated stall tactic by the other side—one that risks leaving key government positions empty for far too long.
