GOP Senators change rules to confirm Trump appointees

Lawmakers on Thursday voted to change the chamber’s rules to make it easier to approve presidential nominees after months of Republican criticism that Democrats were dragging out the confirmation process. Senators voted 53-43 along party lines to change the rules. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., earlier this week began the process to allow the chamber to consider batches of nominees not at the cabinet level, rather than vote on them individually. The Senate has not confirmed any of President Donald Trump’s civilian nominees by unanimous consent or voice vote since he took office, Thune said. Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., criticized the move, saying it would allow Republicans to steal positions of power.

How many positions need to be confirmed? More than 250 of Trump’s nominations are still waiting for confirmation, according to the Partnership for Public Service, a nonpartisan organization. Lawmakers are expected to use the new rule change to advance a package of 48 nominees early next week. Cabinet positions, Supreme Court Justices, and federal judge appointments will still require individual approval. 

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s report about how Senators have been trying to push through Trump’s nominations.