(ProsperNews.net) – Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) issued a pointed warning to Senate Democrats on Thursday, urging them not to obstruct the confirmation of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees. Thune, who was elected majority leader by Senate Republicans earlier this week, emphasized his commitment to ensuring a fair confirmation process while cautioning against delays or obstructionism.
“If they [Democrats] become obstacles and obstructionists to moving these along, we’re going to grind them out on the floor of the United States Senate,” Thune told Fox News’s Bret Baier in an interview.
Thune’s comments highlight the GOP’s resolve to secure swift confirmations for Trump’s picks as they prepare to assume control of the Senate and White House. Trump’s sweeping electoral victory, which saw Republicans gain seats in both chambers of Congress, has emboldened the party’s agenda heading into the new administration.
When pressed by Baier about specific nominees, including controversial figures like Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Thune acknowledged that some picks might face skepticism but stressed the importance of allowing the process to play out. “He deserves a process,” Thune said of Gaetz, who has been nominated for attorney general.
Similarly, Thune maintained that all of Trump’s nominees, including those with bipartisan appeal like Robert F. Kennedy Jr., should receive due consideration. “They deserve a process,” he said. “The Senate has the role of advise and consent under the Constitution. They deserve a hearing, and we’ll proceed accordingly.”
When asked whether Trump might resort to recess appointments if Democrats block confirmations, Thune refrained from making a definitive statement but left the option open. “I hate to say yes or no because I think that’s still an open question,” he said. “My view is we want to do this the regular way. Let’s give the Democrats a chance to work with us on getting people in place.”
Recess appointments, a constitutional mechanism that allows presidents to bypass the Senate while it is not in session, have been used by past presidents, including Bill Clinton and George W. Bush, to install key officials. However, such appointments can be contentious and may signal a breakdown in bipartisan cooperation.
Thune’s remarks underscore the Republican Party’s focus on advancing Trump’s agenda efficiently while managing tensions with Senate Democrats. As the GOP prepares to take full control of Washington, the ability to confirm Cabinet nominees will be a crucial test of their majority’s effectiveness and unity.
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