Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has said he will “do whatever it takes to get President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees through the confirmation process,” amid concerns that some appointees may not get the votes needed for confirmation. “Choices” are on the table.
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Several members of President-elect Trump's cabinet have made nominations that require Senate confirmation. ((Getty Images))
R.S.D. Thune told Fox News chief political anchor Bret Baier on Thursday on “Special Report” that Senate Republicans are working with Trump to “help him carry out his policies.” , we will try to get the team in place as soon as possible.” ”
“All of these people have a process that they have to go through. All of these nominees, you know, advise and consent. That's the constitutional role of the Senate. Confirmation of recommendation to the executive branch of government. “We take that role seriously,” he said, “but we also will not allow the Democratic Party to interfere or thwart the will of President Trump and the American people.”
Republicans and Democrats on both sides of the political spectrum expressed shock at President Trump's choice of Gates as attorney general. The former Florida congressman reportedly resigned from Congress days before the House Ethics Committee was to hold an investigative meeting into allegations of sexual misconduct and illegal drug use. Mr. Gates denies the charges.
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Congressman Matt Gaetz is seen wearing a Laken Riley pin at the Capitol in Washington, DC, ahead of the President's State of the Union Address on March 7, 2024. (Aaron Schwartz/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska; told reporters She did not consider Trump's general election to be a “serious nomination.” “We need a serious attorney general, and I look forward to the opportunity to consider a serious attorney general. This person was not on my bingo card,” she said.
Thune was asked about using “recess appointments” to get Trump's nomination through Senate confirmation if there aren't enough votes to confirm the nominee. “Break schedule” According to the Associated Pressallowing the President to fill vacancies while the Senate is in recess or in recess.
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A view of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, DC, on November 4, 2024, ahead of the U.S. presidential election. (Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
“Well, that’s an option, but obviously what we need to do is we need to have every Republican vote to adjourn as well, so someone under the normal orders that you mentioned. “The same Republicans who might have trouble voting to adjourn should probably have trouble voting to adjourn the Senate as well,” the South Dakota native noted. . “We need the consent of the House. There's a process. This is all a process. But I don't think any of these things are necessarily off the table.”
“I think we need to keep all options on the table, and these candidates deserve their day in court. They should have a hearing, a confirmation hearing, an opportunity for scrutiny. And the Senate will fulfill its constitutional role with its advice and consent.''But we must rely on the will of the American people to give President Trump the resources he needs to carry out his policies.'' We're not going to allow Democrats to obstruct this,” Thun continued.
U.S. Sen. John Thune (R.S.D.), newly elected Senate Majority Leader for the upcoming 119th Congress, speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., November 13, 2024. November 13th (TING SHEN/AFP via Getty Images)
He added that while the confirmation process for some candidates has not been easy, the American people have given President Trump a “mandate” for change. electoral college And won the popular vote.
“The people in this country wants change. he [Trump] That's what we want to achieve. And I've always believed that we should defer to the president in terms of who he wants in his cabinet,” Thun said.
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“But clearly there is a process in place to thoroughly vet all of these candidates and determine whether they are qualified and whether they are the right person to fill these positions.”
