U.S. Senator John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), serving as Senate Majority Whip, addressed the Senate Floor to criticize what he described as unprecedented obstruction by Democrats of President Donald J. Trump’s nominees.
Barrasso highlighted a significant change in how Senate confirmations are handled, claiming that unlike previous administrations, none of President Trump’s nominees have been confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. He stated, “President Trump is the only President in modern history not to have a single nominee confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. Not a single one. Even the most routine nominees are being filibustered.”
He compared confirmation rates for prior presidents: “98 percent of President George H.W. Bush’s nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. 98 percent of President Bill Clinton’s nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. 90 percent of President George W. Bush’s nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent. 90 percent of President Barrack Obama’s nominees were confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent.” According to Barrasso, after Trump took office, Democratic opposition led to these numbers dropping from 90 percent under Obama to 65 percent in Trump’s first term and now down to zero.
Barrasso also referenced confirmation rates under the Biden administration: “Even Joe Biden – a president Republicans strongly opposed – had 57 percent of his nominees confirmed by voice vote or unanimous consent.”
He questioned the justification for blocking certain appointments: “Can a single Democrat in this chamber – without mentioning President Trump’s name – tell me why the legal advisor for advocacy for the Small Business Administration is somehow controversial?”
The senator recounted an exchange during cloture votes where a Democratic senator reportedly admitted voting against a nominee solely because they were nominated by Trump.
“Why should this nominee be held up and filibustered? The Democrats can’t tell you why. They have no idea why other than it was the nomination by President Trump,” Barrasso said.
He argued that such obstruction does not benefit American communities, stating, “Automatic Democrat obstruction does not make our communities safer. It does not make our country stronger. It does not make families and small businesses more prosperous. It just waste time and weakens America.”
Despite these challenges, Barrasso noted progress on nominations: “We’ve confirmed 120 nominees since President Trump’s second term began…we’ve confirmed twice as many nominees in President Trump’s second term compared to his first term.”
He concluded with a commitment from Senate Republicans: “Let me be clear: Republicans are not backing down. We will continue to confirm President Trump’s nominees. The easy way if we can. The hard way if we must.
“The American people elected President Trump and Senate Republicans to get America back on track. They expect the President to have his team in place. That is what Senate Republicans will continue to do.”
