South Dakota Senator Highlights ‘Unprecedented’ Obstruction of Presidential Appointments
In a floor speech delivered on Thursday, U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) called on his Democratic colleagues to work with Republicans on both government funding and presidential nominations, warning that continued obstruction would lead to a prolonged session.
Thune emphasized that the Senate Appropriations Committee has already passed six bipartisan appropriations bills and that Republicans are prepared to move a package of these bills to the floor.
“I hope that my Democrat colleagues will come to the table,” Thune said, “Otherwise we’re going to be spending a whole lot more time here on the Senate floor.” He pointed to “encouraging signs” that some Democrats are ready to engage in a regular-order process, but cautioned against a repeat of recent threats to shut down the government.
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The Majority Leader also sharply criticized the pace of confirming presidential nominees. He presented a chart highlighting historical data, stating that past presidents, both Republican and Democrat, saw a significant portion of their civilian nominees confirmed quickly by unanimous consent or voice vote.
In contrast, Thune claimed that no civilian nominees from the current president have been confirmed by either method, a “zero percent” rate he called “unsustainable.”
He cited President Joe Biden’s first term, where 57% of civilian nominees were confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote, and earlier administrations like those of George H.W. Bush and Bill Clinton, which saw rates of 98%.
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“This has got to change,” Thune asserted. “Either Democrats are going to play ball or we’re going to figure out a way to change it.”
Thune concluded his remarks by expressing hope that “pragmatic Democrats” would prevail and help approve a package of nominations, stressing the importance of filling government positions to carry out essential duties.
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