Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) addressed the Senate floor to highlight the confirmation of over 100 nominees put forward by President Donald J. Trump during his second term. Barrasso described the confirmations as an important step in filling government roles, emphasizing the procedural challenges faced.
“This is significant progress in filling critical government positions. It took relentless procedural battles to accomplish this. It included full days and long nights. Why? Because Democrats are waging a coordinated campaign of obstruction,” Barrasso said.
Barrasso criticized Senate Democrats for what he called ongoing efforts to delay or block Trump’s nominees. He noted that, according to him, Democrats have filibustered all but one nominee since the start of President Trump’s second term, with Marco Rubio being confirmed as Secretary of State on the first day of the administration.
“Under the Constitution, the Senate is meant to provide ‘advice and consent.’ We do it on presidential nominations, do it on a number of things. Specifically with regard to nominations, this means an honest evaluation of qualifications and it means a vote in the United States Senate. For more than six months, Senate Democrats have turned advice and consent into automatic opposition. It doesn’t just delay President Trump. It damages the country,” Barrasso stated.
He listed several positions that have faced delays due to Democratic opposition, including roles at the Department of State and Department of Commerce. Barrasso pointed out that 138 nominees approved by Senate committees remain unconfirmed on the Senate floor.
Barrasso also referenced four recent confirmations: Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Communications and Information; Under Secretary of Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Crimes; District Judge for Eastern District of Missouri; and Assistant Administrator at Environmental Protection Agency—all positions he said were subject to filibusters before eventual approval.
“When Democrats delay nominations and nominees, people specifically charged to fight drug trafficking, to protect the environment, and to track terrorists, it delays justice. It makes our nation weaker and less safe. It tells Americans that Democrats care more about politics than they do problem solving,” he added.
The senator expressed support for Emil Bove, nominated by President Trump for U.S. Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. “Now, Democrats are targeting President Trump’s nominee to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit… By any objective measure, Mr. Bove is qualified,” Barrasso said while listing Bove’s credentials from Georgetown Law School and experience as a prosecutor.
Barrasso contrasted Republican actions with those taken by Democrats during previous administrations regarding judicial appointments: “Democrats confirmed as U.S. Attorney for Massachusetts someone who released a list of charges that she would refuse to prosecute if she was confirmed… They also confirmed… an Assistant Attorney General who supported efforts to ‘defund the police’.”
He concluded his remarks by reaffirming Republicans’ commitment: “Republicans are committed to continuing to confirm President Trump’s nominees. We are working hard to get America back on track.”
