NEWYou now have the option to listen to articles from Fox News!
The road to reaching an agreement on confirming a multitude of President Donald Trump’s nominees seemed uncertain at best in the Senate on Saturday, as Republicans and Democrats engaged in disputes over terms and conditions to find a way forward.
Senators were originally expected to have left Washington by now, but Trump’s insistence on pushing his nominees through Senate Democrats’ historical blockade has kept lawmakers in town. However, by late afternoon, little progress had been achieved.
When asked if any progress had been made, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., informed Fox News Digital, “Unfortunately, not really, no.”
“The Dems are sticking to a position that’s just not effective,” he added.
Negotiations have been ongoing among Republicans, Democrats, and the White House. Thune and Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., met last night to discuss an offer from Democrats. Since then, the two have not communicated directly, instead relying on intermediaries, according to Thune. However, he anticipated that they would have further discussions later on Saturday.
Senate Republicans are aiming to strike a deal that would ensure nominees who received bipartisan support in committee would receive swift votes on the floor, but Schumer has not relented.
A source familiar with the negotiations mentioned that Senate Democrats are seeking agreements on the release of withheld funding by the White House and a guarantee that there will be no future rescission packages — a particular point of contention for them as the deadline to fund the government approaches. In return, they are offering a group of nominees to proceed now, with another round to come in the fall.
Trump, who is currently at his Bedminster, N.J., golf course, has insisted that lawmakers stay in town and confirm the entire slate of nominees on the Senate calendar, which has surpassed 150.
While Republicans have confirmed over 100 of the president’s nominees, none have received a voice vote or unanimous consent on the floor. At this same point four years ago, 49 of former President Joe Biden’s picks had been confirmed by voice vote.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin, R-Okla., explained that Republicans have three options that have enough support among the conference to move forward with: reach a deal with Democrats; adjourn the Senate to allow for recess appointments by the president; or implement a rules-change package, which some Republicans view as the “nuclear option.”
On the topic of recess appointments, Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo., stated that it would be up to Democrats whether Republicans proceed with it.
While implementing a rules change would be a controversial move that would trigger strong reactions from Democrats, Republicans are not hesitant to pursue this option. When asked if a rule change should be made before lawmakers depart, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., expressed that “I think that’d be best.”
However, the preference is to reach an agreement, preferably on a potential package for over 60 nominees who received bipartisan support in committee.
“The reason why we’re leaning towards that is because Schumer led us down this path,” Mullin stated. “He didn’t have to handle it this way.”
