Senate Republicans push rule change to confirm many of President Donald Trump’s lower-level nominees faster. They aim to revive a plan originally proposed by Democrats. This approach could avoid the so-called “nuclear option,” which requires only a simple majority vote to change Senate rules.
Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso, R-Wyo., told Fox News Digital, “Democrats should support this because it was their original idea.” He added, “But I wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t. Their obstruction plays to the far-left base who oppose President Trump.”
Throughout the week, Senate Republicans met privately to discuss strategies. They began to support a plan that would allow one vote to confirm multiple nominees at once. This group voting is known as confirming nominees “en bloc.”
So far, Secretary of State Marco Rubio remains the only Trump nominee confirmed smoothly. Since January, many lower-level positions have seen delays. These nominees have not cleared voice votes or unanimous consent, which usually speed confirmations.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., criticized the current process. He reminded reporters that previous administrations grouped nominees for faster approval. “This is the first president in history who hasn’t had at least one nominee confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote at this stage,” Thune said. “It is unprecedented and must stop.”
The backlog of nominees has grown. This week, 149 candidates await Senate approval. Republicans want to change the rules before Congress breaks on September 22.
The proposal stems from 2023 legislation introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., Angus King, I-Maine, and former Sen. Ben Cardin, D-Md. Republicans may tweak it by removing nominee limits or excluding judicial picks.
Republicans prefer not to use the nuclear option. The last time they invoked it was in 2019 when then-Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell shortened debate times. However, they remain ready if Democrats continue blocking nominees.
Despite public resistance, a GOP aide said, “Democrats privately support what Republicans are proposing but fear admitting it.”
Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., helped build GOP consensus on the proposal. He acknowledged Democrats see their blockade as unsustainable but feel pressured by their progressive base.
“They say, ‘My base wants me to fight hard even if it damages the Senate,’” Lankford explained. “Some of my colleagues feel stuck and blame Democrats for ‘going nuclear.’”
Sen. Klobuchar appreciated bipartisan efforts to improve Senate rules but won’t back the GOP’s current plan. “My legislation aimed for bipartisan votes, which won’t happen now because the president keeps violating laws,” she said.
Not all Democrats support the blockade. Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., urged lawmakers to allow basic confirmations regardless of party. “We can oppose major nominees but shouldn’t block everything,” he said.
Senate Republicans push rule change to break the logjam and confirm nominees efficiently. The coming weeks will test if they can overcome Democratic opposition and restore Senate function.
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