Senator John Thune, poised to step into the role of Senate Majority Leader come January, has outlined the Senate’s commitment to fair and swift confirmation hearings for President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees. In a recent interview on Fox News with Bret Baier, Thune addressed the Senate's approach to processing Trump's picks for key cabinet positions, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr. for Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) and former Congressman Matt Gaetz for Attorney General.
Thune underscored that the American people had signaled a clear demand for change, with a desire to move away from the policies of the Biden administration. “The American people want change in this country,” Thune said, adding that they’re “tired of the Biden-Harris-Schumer agenda” and expect Trump to lead a substantial policy shift. This, Thune believes, involves assembling a capable team without unnecessary delays or obstruction from opposition lawmakers. Senate Republicans, he emphasized, would work cooperatively to ensure that Trump's team is installed "as quickly as possible so he can implement his agenda.”
When asked about the likelihood of Democratic pushback on some of Trump’s more controversial appointments, Thune acknowledged the procedural challenges but assured that Republicans intend to prevent any effort by Democrats to stymie the confirmation process. Notably, he reminded viewers that Trump has the option of using recess appointments to bypass the standard Senate approval process if necessary. However, to leverage recess appointments, Senate Republicans would need near-unanimous agreement to enter recess, a situation that could become complex if internal GOP concerns arise over any particular nominee.
Republicans have a mandate from the American people to enact change, and our work starts now.
Joined @BretBaier for a great conversation on my role as the new incoming Senate majority leader. pic.twitter.com/SCxfWivdsC
— Senator John Thune (@SenJohnThune) November 15, 2024
Thune also indicated that Senate Republicans are prepared to adopt strategies previously used by Democrats, such as the budget reconciliation process, to bypass the filibuster and advance legislation with a simple majority of 51 votes. During the Biden administration, this process was utilized to pass several contentious bills without requiring a supermajority, and Thune suggested the GOP would not hesitate to follow suit if Democrats obstruct legislative priorities. This maneuver would provide the GOP Senate with a potent tool to enact Trump’s policy objectives in areas like border security, economic revitalization, military funding, and deregulation.
The incoming Senate Majority Leader emphasized that the Republican-led Senate has a clear legislative agenda in mind. High on the priority list are initiatives to strengthen the border, stimulate the economy, support military funding, cut back on regulatory red tape, reduce taxes, and revitalize the nation’s energy industry. Thune’s comments reflect a commitment to restoring what he described as pro-growth, pro-security policies designed to give the U.S. a competitive edge domestically and internationally.