Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-South Dakota) on Thursday warned Senate Democrats against becoming a “roadblock” to President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees.
The warning points to a trend toward expediting Senate confirmation of President Trump's nominees, whose landslide victory Thune won and shifted 48 states to the right.
Thune's statement came a day after Senate Republicans elected him as majority leader. President Trump did not endorse anyone in the race, but many America First Republicans endorsed Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) for the job. Thune is considered close to Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), a politician who often opposes America First policies.
“If they [Democrats] We become handicapped and handicapped in advancing these things,” Thune told Fox News' Bret Baier. “We're going to crush them to death on the floor of the United States Senate.”
“Do you think Matt Gates will make it through?” Byer asked.
“I don't know the answer to that yet. I mean, obviously, as you pointed out, there are certainly some skeptics, but he needs a process,” Thune responded.
“RFK Jr., do you think he can get through?” Byer interjected.
“They deserve a hearing… They are nominees created and proposed by the president, and as you know, the Senate has an advisory and consent role under the Constitution. They deserve a hearing. We will proceed accordingly,” Thun said.
“If I place a bet, do I have to take a break? Are you saying 'yes' or 'no'?” Mr. Bayer also followed.
“I don't want to say yes or no because I think it's still an open question. In my opinion, we want to do this in a normal way,” Thun explained. “[Let’s] Give Democrats a chance to work with us to secure talent. ”
Recess appointments are a constitutional procedure that allows the president to serve in the administration while the Senate is in recess. president bill clinton used The process was used to confirm 139 appointments, while President George W. Bush used the process to confirm 171 appointments, according to the Congressional Research Service.
“We are not taking any options off the table,” Thun added.
Wendell Husebo is a political reporter for Breitbart News and a former RNC war room analyst. He is the author of The Politics of Slave Morality. Follow Wendell “×” @WendellHusebø or society of truth @WendellHusebo.
