Overview

• Senate Majority Leader John Thune on Monday filed a resolution to set a new Senate precedent allowing en bloc confirmation of multiple executive-branch nominees.
• An initial procedural vote is expected Thursday, with Republicans aiming to finalize the rules change early next week before voting on the first batch of nominees.
• The change targets sub-cabinet officials, ambassadors, and other executive nominees under the two-hour debate category, excluding judicial and top Cabinet positions.
• GOP leaders cite an extensive backlog, saying the Senate would otherwise need roughly 600 additional roll-call votes, and note that no Trump nominees have been approved by voice vote or unanimous consent this term.
• Democrats, led by Chuck Schumer, argue the move erodes the Senate’s advice-and-consent role for what they call historically unqualified picks, and Republicans acknowledge the precedent could be used by a future majority.