Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune said “all options” are on the table for putting members of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet through the confirmation process, amid concerns that some appointees will not get enough votes for confirmation.
Trump in recent days announced his picks for key government positions, ranging from Tulsi Gabbard as director of national intelligence to Matt Gaetz as attorney general and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as secretary of Health and Human Services .
Thune (R-SD) told Fox News chief political anchor Brett Baier on “Special Report” Thursday that Senate Republicans are going to work with Trump to “make sure he gets his team together as quickly as possible.” So that he can implement his agenda.” ,
“All these people have a process they have to go through. All these nominees are – this is a – you know, advice and consent. This is the constitutional role of the Senate when it comes to confirming nominations to the executive branch of government. And we take that role seriously,” he said. “But we also will not allow Democrats to obstruct or block the will of President Trump and the American people.”
Lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle expressed surprise at Trump’s choice of Gaetz as attorney general.
The former Florida congressman resigned from Congress days before the House Ethics Committee was scheduled to convene on an investigation into allegations that he was allegedly involved in sexual misconduct and illegal drug use.
Gaetz has denied the allegations.
Senator Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, told reporters He did not think Trump’s AG choice was a “serious nomination.”
“We need a serious attorney general and I look forward to the opportunity to consider someone who is serious. It wasn’t on my bingo card,” he said.
Thune was asked to use “recess appointments” to get Trump’s pick through Senate confirmation if there are not enough votes to confirm the nominee.
“Vacation Appointments,” According to the Associated PressAllow the President to fill vacancies outside or during recess of the Senate.
“Well, that’s an option, but obviously, for that to happen, you know, you also have to vote all Republicans to leave. So the same Republicans that you mentioned might have a problem voting for someone under regular order, maybe they might even have a problem voting to put the Senate into recess,” the South Dakota native said. Said. “You have to take consent from the House. There is a process. This is all a process. But I don’t think any of these things are necessarily off the table.”
“I think we have to keep all options on the table. And these nominees deserve their day in court. They are entitled to an opportunity of hearing, confirmatory hearing, investigation. And the Senate will perform its constitutional role under advice and consent. But we will not allow Democrats to thwart the will of the American people by putting President Trump in the positions he wants to implement his agenda,” Thune continued.
He said the confirmation process will not be easy for some candidates, but the American people have given Trump a “mandate” for change with their Electoral College and popular vote victories.
“People in this country want change. He (Trump) wants to do this. And I’ve always believed that you defer to the president when it comes to who he wants in his Cabinet,” Thune said.
“But obviously, there is a process whereby we get down and vet all of these nominees and figure out whether or not they are qualified, they are qualified and they are people who are suitable to hold these offices. Are.”
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