Trump Pushes to Bypass Nominee Votes
WASHINGTON—Presidentelect Donald Trump demanded that the next Republican leader of the Senate agree to allow him to push through at least some nominees without requiring a vote, a move that would give more power to the White House to get around congressional opposition.
The statement by Trump, who prevailed on Election Day by winning all seven of the battleground states, showed him muscling the incoming Senate majority weeks before the Republicans are set to take over the chamber. The GOP senators, who are set to have a 53- 47 margin in the next Congress, are voting on a new leader this week.
“Any Republican Senator seeking the coveted LEADER--SHIP position in the United States Senate must agree to Recess Appointments (in the Senate!), without which we will not be able to get people confirmed in a timely manner,” Trump wrote on social media, complaining that the regular approval process can sometimes take years. “We need positions filled IMMEDI--ATELY!” he said.
Recess appointments allow a president to temporarily install a cabinet or other nominee for the rest of the twoyear session but can be blocked when the House or Senate refuse to formally go on a long break. Trump made no recess appointments in his first term, nor has President Biden, but past presidents such as Ronald Reagan, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush made more than 100.
Trump hasn’t endorsed a senator in this year’s leadership race, but his statement on Sunday afternoon sent a jolt through the contest. Candi--dates for the top post quickly issued statements opening the door to the idea that the Senate should adjourn for long enough to allow Trump to appoint at least some officials without Senate approval. The majority leader controls the Senate floor and the calendar.
“100% agree,” said Florida Sen. Rick Scott, a favorite of Trump allies, in a social-media post. “I will do whatever it takes to get your nominations through as quickly as possible.”
Sen. John Thune (R., S.D.) also said he would consider embracing recess appointments. “We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible… and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments,” Thune said in a statement.
The third candidate, Sen. John Cornyn of Texas, said that it would be “unacceptable” for Democrats to block Trump’s nominees. “If they do, we will stay in session, including weekends, until they relent. Additionally, the Constitution expressly confers the power on the President to make recess appointments,” he said on X.
Trump’s decisive victory in the presidential race is scrambling the leadership contest, where Thune has been seen as the favorite, by putting more momentum behind Scott.
