The Senate Prepares for an Intense Nomination Battle
GOP leaders are gearing up for a rigorous effort to exhaust Democratic opposition.
TroibNews 
Democrats allowed Secretary of State Marco Rubio to move swiftly toward Senate confirmation on Monday. Now, however, the political landscape is shifting towards a challenging battle.
As Donald Trump’s nominees gradually come forth from Senate committees, legislators from both parties are gearing up for a lengthy process, with Democrats intent on forcing Republicans to navigate procedural hurdles to complete the new president’s Cabinet.
The selection of John Ratcliffe for CIA director is anticipated to undergo a relatively seamless bipartisan confirmation on Tuesday. Following that, though, several more contentious nominees are on the agenda, and finding common ground may be difficult.
To expedite any confirmation, unanimous consensus among senators is required, and after facilitating Rubio’s progression, Democrats are hesitant to assist with many of Trump’s other nominations.
“I don't think the Democrats are in any hurry,” Sen. John Cornyn remarked in an interview. “So I think we're just gonna have to grind through, and maybe you're here for some late nights and weekends for the next few weeks.”
Among the more problematic nominees is Pete Hegseth, the choice for the Pentagon, who faces allegations that include sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement. Nevertheless, Republicans seem united behind Hegseth, who has refuted the claims, and they are prepared for what could be a four-day process to secure his confirmation.
Russell Vought, tapped by Trump as White House budget director, is similarly divisive, having emerged from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Monday with a partisan vote. Kristi Noem, nominated for Homeland Security secretary, could also endure an extended confirmation timeline, even with some backing from Democrats in committee.
The nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence are still pending committee action but are likely to incite significant conflict if they reach the Senate floor.
“Democrats have been very clear about our approach to President Trump’s nominees,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on the Senate floor Monday. “We will neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”
Rubio, he mentioned, was in the latter category, “a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly.”
For the majority of Trump’s nominees, the result doesn’t seem uncertain. Republicans can confirm any of them as long as they remain united, but to do this efficiently, they require assistance from Democrats. Any senator can block a deal that accelerates confirmation votes.
Republicans are already leveraging the threat of Friday votes and even the possibility of weekend sessions to send a message to Democrats: Collaborate and facilitate the process for Trump’s selections, or risk inconveniencing themselves.
These tensions could peak this week if Thune sets up Hegseth’s nomination for Defense on Tuesday. Republicans express confidence regarding his confirmation, even though some members of their party have yet to declare their support.
By the end of the week, Republicans anticipate having more nominees ready for action: Committees are prepared to vote on former Rep. Sean Duffy for Transportation secretary, Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator, and Doug Burgum for Interior secretary, among others.
In order to persuade Democrats to expedite proceedings, several GOP senators have been making direct appeals. Cornyn noted he took the opportunity during the traditional post-inauguration luncheon in Statuary Hall to urge Schumer, his occasional workout partner, to ease the way for some of Trump’s “uncontroversial” nominees, but reported that Schumer did not seem significantly inclined to hurry.
Thune acknowledged Monday that confirming Trump’s selections will not be an instantaneous process, labeling it their “priority here in the Senate for the next few weeks.”
Some of Trump’s more contentious nominees have already encountered delays due to incomplete background checks and disclosures. Two of Trump’s most controversial selections—Kennedy and Gabbard—have yet to have their hearings scheduled.
“Pete’s going to be fine. Marco’s a slam dunk. There are a few left that it depends on how they do,” stated Sen. Lindsey Graham, who went on to comment about Gabbard: “Let’s see how she does. I’m inclined to vote for everybody, but you’ve got to get through the system.”
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
As Donald Trump’s nominees gradually come forth from Senate committees, legislators from both parties are gearing up for a lengthy process, with Democrats intent on forcing Republicans to navigate procedural hurdles to complete the new president’s Cabinet.
The selection of John Ratcliffe for CIA director is anticipated to undergo a relatively seamless bipartisan confirmation on Tuesday. Following that, though, several more contentious nominees are on the agenda, and finding common ground may be difficult.
To expedite any confirmation, unanimous consensus among senators is required, and after facilitating Rubio’s progression, Democrats are hesitant to assist with many of Trump’s other nominations.
“I don't think the Democrats are in any hurry,” Sen. John Cornyn remarked in an interview. “So I think we're just gonna have to grind through, and maybe you're here for some late nights and weekends for the next few weeks.”
Among the more problematic nominees is Pete Hegseth, the choice for the Pentagon, who faces allegations that include sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement. Nevertheless, Republicans seem united behind Hegseth, who has refuted the claims, and they are prepared for what could be a four-day process to secure his confirmation.
Russell Vought, tapped by Trump as White House budget director, is similarly divisive, having emerged from the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Monday with a partisan vote. Kristi Noem, nominated for Homeland Security secretary, could also endure an extended confirmation timeline, even with some backing from Democrats in committee.
The nominations of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for HHS secretary and Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence are still pending committee action but are likely to incite significant conflict if they reach the Senate floor.
“Democrats have been very clear about our approach to President Trump’s nominees,” Minority Leader Chuck Schumer stated on the Senate floor Monday. “We will neither rubber-stamp nominees we feel are grossly unqualified nor oppose nominees that deserve serious consideration.”
Rubio, he mentioned, was in the latter category, “a qualified nominee we think should be confirmed quickly.”
For the majority of Trump’s nominees, the result doesn’t seem uncertain. Republicans can confirm any of them as long as they remain united, but to do this efficiently, they require assistance from Democrats. Any senator can block a deal that accelerates confirmation votes.
Republicans are already leveraging the threat of Friday votes and even the possibility of weekend sessions to send a message to Democrats: Collaborate and facilitate the process for Trump’s selections, or risk inconveniencing themselves.
These tensions could peak this week if Thune sets up Hegseth’s nomination for Defense on Tuesday. Republicans express confidence regarding his confirmation, even though some members of their party have yet to declare their support.
By the end of the week, Republicans anticipate having more nominees ready for action: Committees are prepared to vote on former Rep. Sean Duffy for Transportation secretary, Lee Zeldin for EPA administrator, and Doug Burgum for Interior secretary, among others.
In order to persuade Democrats to expedite proceedings, several GOP senators have been making direct appeals. Cornyn noted he took the opportunity during the traditional post-inauguration luncheon in Statuary Hall to urge Schumer, his occasional workout partner, to ease the way for some of Trump’s “uncontroversial” nominees, but reported that Schumer did not seem significantly inclined to hurry.
Thune acknowledged Monday that confirming Trump’s selections will not be an instantaneous process, labeling it their “priority here in the Senate for the next few weeks.”
Some of Trump’s more contentious nominees have already encountered delays due to incomplete background checks and disclosures. Two of Trump’s most controversial selections—Kennedy and Gabbard—have yet to have their hearings scheduled.
“Pete’s going to be fine. Marco’s a slam dunk. There are a few left that it depends on how they do,” stated Sen. Lindsey Graham, who went on to comment about Gabbard: “Let’s see how she does. I’m inclined to vote for everybody, but you’ve got to get through the system.”
Thomas Evans for TROIB News
