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4w ago

Senate Republicans Consider Rule Overhaul or Recess Appointments to Clear Trump Nominee Backlog

GOP leaders are weighing scrapping the August recess or altering Senate procedures to speed confirmations after Democrats forced procedural votes on every nominee.

Sen. John Kennedy speaks to reporters outside the Senate Chamber at the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on June 30.
Sen. Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., center, speaks during a news conference after a policy luncheon at the Capitol Tuesday, July 29, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)
The US Capitol in Washington, DC, on July 29.
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Overview

  • Democrats are requiring cloture votes on every Trump nominee, burning hours of floor time and leaving about 135 appointees in limbo.
  • President Trump and Sen. Mike Lee have pressed Republican leaders to cancel or shorten the August recess to continue confirmation votes or enable recess appointments.
  • Senate Majority Leader John Thune says the Senate has confirmed over 100 of the president’s nominees by roll call votes in the past six months despite no civilian pick passing by voice vote or unanimous consent.
  • GOP senators including Mike Rounds and Rand Paul are discussing options to cut debate time, group nominations or hold weekend sessions to accelerate confirmations.
  • Republicans warn that sustained Democratic obstruction could invite future retaliation and set a precedent that undermines Senate confirmation norms.