Senate begins to switch gears with Trump Cabinet nearly complete – Washington Examiner
The article discusses the recent developments in the U.S. Senate as it shifts its focus towards legislative work and confirming judicial nominees after largely completing the confirmation of President donald Trump’s Cabinet. A month into Trump’s second term, the Senate has confirmed 18 out of 22 cabinet-level positions, allowing Senate Majority Leader john Thune to allocate more time to advancing Trump’s agenda.A pivotal budget framework has been adopted, which will enable notable spending on border and defense initiatives.
Additionally, upcoming votes on Congressional Review Act resolutions are anticipated, aimed at rolling back regulations from the Biden governance. One key resolution seeks to repeal a methane emissions fee, expected to pass with support from Republicans. Ther’s also discussion on confirming conservative judicial nominees, following strategies used during Trump’s first term. The Senate Judiciary Committee is actively engaging with the White House to prioritize federal judicial vacancies. the Senate is positioning itself to execute Republican legislative priorities while preparing for upcoming judicial confirmations.
Senate begins to switch gears with Trump Cabinet nearly complete
Having confirmed most of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees a month into his second term, the Senate will soon shift its focus to legislation and judicial nominees.
The GOP-controlled chamber has confirmed 18 of the president’s 22 Cabinet-level positions, freeing up valuable floor time that Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) has begun to utilize for passing Trump’s agenda.
The Senate adopted a budget framework early Friday morning that will unlock some $340 billion in border and defense spending.
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And next week, the Senate will start voting on Congressional Review Act resolutions that allow Republicans to roll back Biden-era regulations. Such resolutions must receive a vote within a certain time frame and only require a simple majority to pass.
Senate GOP leadership is eyeing a vote on a resolution led by Sen. John Hoeven (R-N.D.) that would repeal a methane emissions fee finalized toward the end of the Biden administration, according to a source familiar with the floor schedule. The measure is expected to pass and advance to the Republican-controlled House.
The resolution is one of a number of Biden-era climate regulations that congressional Republicans will seek to dismantle in the coming months.
Due to the privileged nature of CRAs, Democrats can offer them, too, and force a floor vote. One from Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) to terminate Trump’s executive order declaring a national energy emergency will be brought to the floor by Feb. 28. The measure is not expected to pass in the chamber Republicans control 53-47.
Also coming into focus for Senate Republicans is confirming conservative judicial nominees, something the chamber made a priority under then-Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) during Trump’s first term.
A Republican aide confirmed Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has started talks with the White House on advancing through his panel Trump nominees for the federal bench. There are currently 43 vacancies in the federal judiciary.
“The only discussion I’ve had is the process,” Grassley told Politico. “Just with the White House Counsel.”
As part of a deal cut in the final weeks of Democrats controlling the Senate last year, Republicans allowed lower-level district court nominees from President Joe Biden to receive quicker votes in exchange for Democrats saving four higher-level circuit court slots for Trump to fill.
Biden ultimately surpassed Trump‘s first-term judicial record by one confirmation, bringing his total number to 235 versus Trump’s 234.
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