Democrats, growing increasingly restless over the GOP power play, are urging Schumer to make good on his vow to hold weekend and late-night sessions over the holidays to plow through the dozens of nominees lagging on the Senate floor.
The Senate’s slow pace on diplomatic nominations has been striking. The chamber has confirmed just nine of Biden’s nominees for foreign ambassadorships, and just one-third of all national-security positions for which Biden has submitted a nominee. At this point in Donald Trump’s presidency, the Senate had already confirmed 40 foreign ambassadors and two-thirds of national-security positions.“They have to bear the burden,” Menendez said of Republicans.
Cruz and Hawley remain unmoved by Schumer’s threats to keep the chamber in session through the holidays. Hawley, who is forcing roll-call votes on several foreign-policy nominees over the chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan, said this week he’s prepared to stand in the way for “as long as it takes,” a vow that some saw as a nod to his potential presidential ambitions.
“If these were such pressing priorities,” Hawley said, “why wasn’t Schumer voting on these a week ago or two weeks ago or five weeks ago? Because he’s incompetent, that’s why.” When Sen. Rick Scott sought unanimous consent on a resolution expressing support for Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai, Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin asked him to modify his request to include confirming Biden’s nominee for ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns.
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