Rushmore State News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the media at a press conference, criticizing Senate Democrats for what he described as unprecedented obstruction of presidential nominations. Thune said the current level of delay and blocking from Democrats has forced Republicans to spend significant time on nominations.

Thune highlighted historical comparisons between the Biden and Trump administrations, stating, “As of this date back in 2021, Joe Biden had gotten 46 nominees confirmed either by voice vote or unanimous consent. Donald Trump has zero. Zero. Not a single one confirmed by voice or unanimous consent.” He noted that even bipartisan nominees who receive strong support are being delayed.

He continued, “So even the bipartisan noms are being blocked and delayed, so much so that the Democrats have been forcing me, when I file cloture, just to get a nominee considered on the floor, to go in and out of executive and legislative session.”

Thune characterized these actions as tactics designed to obstruct the president’s agenda and emphasized the impact on government operations: “And the sad reality is that there are a lot of these people who fill important positions in our government who need to be able to be confirmed to get there so they can do their jobs.”

He argued that voters expect presidents to have their chosen personnel in place: “They voted for this president, and he has not had an opportunity to get the people that he wants to have man his administration get there to do their job.”

Thune warned Democrats about setting a precedent with these delays: “And clearly the Democrats are starting something and creating a precedent that is going to come back to haunt them. This is … a bad practice on their part, because, as you all know, what goes around comes around, around here.”

He expressed hope for cooperation: “So I am hoping that they will work with us, come to their senses, in the next few days here to try and put together a package of nominees. There are a whole bunch of bipartisan nominees that are out there that are available for consideration right now.”

Thune attributed much of the obstruction to Democratic leadership: “There are Senate Democrats who actually do want to work on getting some noms through the process, but their leadership is blocking that.” He added concerns about influence from progressive members: “It is the far left of their caucus that is preventing even good government people, people who are bipartisan, from getting confirmed.”

Thune concluded by saying change is needed or delays will continue: “So that’s got to change, and if it doesn’t, we’re going to be here a while.”