Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate regarding what he described as ongoing delays by Senate Democrats in confirming President Donald J. Trump’s nominees. Barrasso cited the case of Brian Nesvik, a Wyoming resident nominated for Director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, whose confirmation has been pending for 112 days since committee approval.
“I had the honor of introducing Brian at his confirmation hearing in March. The Committee approved his nomination in April. That was 112 days ago. The people of Wyoming are asking, why the long delay? Why isn’t Brian Nesvik on the job today? I’ll tell you why. Unprecedented Democrat obstruction,” Barrasso said.
He criticized what he called “unprecedented Democrat obstruction” to Trump’s nominees, stating that 161 individuals who have cleared committee votes remain unconfirmed on the Senate floor. According to Barrasso, these nominees include those who received bipartisan support in committee but are now delayed due to procedural tactics.
“For seven months, Senator Schumer and his band of Democrat obstructionists have thrown the kitchen sink at President Trump’s nominees. That is why 161 highly qualified nominees like Brian have not come to the Senate Floor for a vote. All of them have been voted on and approved by committee. Many received Democrat support in committee. Each and every one of them is now stuck in a Senate procedural purgatory – stalled, stonewalled, and systematically delayed by Senate Democrats,” Barrasso stated.
Barrasso contrasted current practices with previous administrations: “Historically, the Senate has found ways to work together to fill important positions in a timely manner. During President Trump’s first term, by the time Congress recessed for the August break, the Senate had confirmed 133 nominees. 79 were confirmed by voice vote. During President Biden’s term, 150 nominees were confirmed by the time the Senate departed for August recess. 76 were by voice vote.”
He added that no Trump nominee has been confirmed by voice vote during this term: “In President Trump’s second term, zero have been confirmed by voice vote. Absolutely zero. Totally unprecedented. President Trump is the only President in modern history to not have a single nominee confirmed by voice vote.”
Barrasso listed several positions where he said Democrats used filibusters regardless of qualifications or bipartisan support: “Democrats filibustered every Trump nominee following the confirmation of Marco Rubio to be the Secretary of State on Day One of this administration… Democrats did this regardless of qualifications, regardless of bipartisan support in committee, regardless of precedent, and regardless of urgency.”
He continued: “Democrats filibustered the Chief of Protocol at the Department of State… an Assistant Administrator at the Environmental Protection Agency…the Assistant Secretary for Communications and Information at the Department of Commerce…the Under Secretary for Industry and Security at the Department of Commerce…the Under Secretary for Research and Engineering at the Department of Defense…the Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs at the Department of Veterans Affairs…even filibustered General Counsel for Department Agriculture.”
Barrasso concluded that Republicans would act if necessary: “President Trump deserves to have his team in place. And America deserves to have leaders on the job.
“Democrats have set a sad new standard for obstructing confirmations. Republicans will not stand back while Democrats weaponize the Senate rules, sabotage process, and paralyze Executive Branch. Republicans will do what needs to be done to get President Trump’s team in place.”
