In the face of the Democrats’ persistent and recalcitrant opposition to any and all nominees presented by the administration of President Donald Trump for approval by the U.S. Senate, the Republican majority there is taking drastic action.
They’ve changed rules, taking the so-called “nuclear option” to facilitate the Senate endorsement of the workers Trump needs to carry out his work to repair and restore America following years of damage by the Joe Biden regime.
A recent attempt at a bipartisan agreement failed, so they adopted a rules change with a simple majority vote to break through the Democrats’ blockade, demanded by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer. Approval of nominees now will take just 51 votes instead of 60.
Lawmakers were frustrated that, through the first eight months of Trump’s presidency, not a single nominee had moved through fast-track unanimous consent or voice votes. Democrats had launched opposition to each and every person.
It was in a report at Cowboy State Daily in Wyoming that Sen. John Barrasso, R-Wyo., called out Schumer, a New York Democrat, for his unprecedented stalling.
More than 1,000 presidential appointments remain in limbo because of the Democrats.
“Typically, the minority party allows obscure, noncontroversial nominees to be approved in large batches, known as ‘en banc.’ This usually happens through unanimous consent or a voice vote, both of which are quick procedures. But this Congress, Senate Democrats have not allowed a single nominee of this nature to be confirmed by such expedited measures. Instead, Democrats have insisted on two hours of debate for each nominee, followed by separate, time-consuming roll call votes on each one.”
The report explained it’s a lost cause for Democrats, and they actually have rarely debated the nominees. “But their tactics have slowed Senate business — including legislation — to a crawl.”
“Senate Democrats have shamefully blocked President Trump’s qualified nominees at an unprecedented rate this year, preventing critical Senate-confirmed personnel from effectively running federal agencies and hampering our ability to conduct other essential business for the American people,” U.S. Sen. Cynthia Lummis, R-Wyoming, told Cowboy State Daily.
Barrasso explained the Democrat agenda: “Senate Democrats would filibuster the White House janitor if they had the opportunity.”
In fact, the report noted Democrats have been demanding Republicans fund their pet leftist projects in order for them to cooperate on the nominees.
Barrasso accused Schumer of holding nominees “for ransom.”
Fox reported it’s only the fourth time in Senate history it has gone “nuclear.”
The change now will allow the Senate to vote on Trump nominees in batches.
Exempted from the change are nominations for judicial nominees.
Schumer claimed, without providing evidence, that the Senate would now be voting on “unqualified” nominees.
Thune said enough was enough.
“It’s time to move. Time to quit stalling. Time to vote. It’s time to fix this place.”
The Senate Democrats’ nomination blockade ends right now. pic.twitter.com/nUFwTCLgbb
— Sen. John Barrasso (@SenJohnBarrasso) September 11, 2025
Yesterday, Senate Republicans @SenateGOP passed sweeping measures, invoking the NUCLEAR OPTION to speed up the confirmation process for President Trump’s nominees. This morning, President Trump praised the Senate GOP’s work to accelerate the confirmation of his nominations. As I… https://t.co/M4YzDNLnqc pic.twitter.com/9gAdUwLy2i
— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) September 12, 2025