Overview

• Majority Whip John Barrasso publicly backed rewriting confirmation procedures, arguing in a Wall Street Journal op-ed that routine picks now face unprecedented delays.
• Republicans are weighing the nuclear option to adopt changes by simple majority, though Democrats oppose the move and some GOP senators have reservations.
• Options under discussion include eliminating the intermediate procedural vote, allowing en bloc approvals, and shortening debate for lower-level nominees.
• Recess appointments are being considered as a short-term fallback that would require coordination with the House and are described by Barrasso as only a temporary fix.
• Leaders plan to take up the issue when the Senate reconvenes next week after talks on a bipartisan nominations package collapsed, with only 135 of 1,000-plus posts confirmed this term.