Thune had floated the option of recess appointments but that would have required a recess of at least 10 days and majority consent.
The Senate was adjourned for the summer by Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) on Saturday after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement to allow quick confirmation of dozens of Trump nominees.
Thune on Aug. 1 had floated the option of recess appointments, but that would have required an adjournment of at least 10 days, which requires the consent of the Senate.
Instead, the Senate agreed by unanimous consent at 7:53 p.m. ET on Saturday to Thune’s request for the recess with pro-forma sessions every three days during the time off, meaning that Trump is unable to make recess appointments before the Senate reassembles in September. The next Senate vote is scheduled for Sept. 2.
Republicans were also considering pursuing a Senate rule change in order to speed up the confirmation of presidential nominees, given the sheer volume now requiring Senate approval—around 1,300. According to the Center for Presidential Transition, the average time to confirm presidential nominees has nearly quadrupled over the last six administrations.
“Either Democrats are going to play ball or we’re going to figure out a way to change it,” Thune said of the nominations impasse during a July 31 speech on the Senate floor.
Last month in a social media post, Trump had called for the Senate to postpone its summer recess until all of his nominees were confirmed.
As negotiations for the Senate confirmations continued on Saturday, it became clear that the two sides weren’t going to agree on a deal.
In a post on Truth Social around 6:30 p.m. ET on Saturday, Trump criticized an offer made by Senate Democrats and accused Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) of “political extortion” by requesting additional federal funding in exchange for confirming a number of nominees before the summer break.
“Schumer is demanding over One Billion Dollars in order to approve a small number of our highly qualified nominees, who should right now be helping to run our Country. This demand is egregious and unprecedented, and would be embarrassing to the Republican Party if it were accepted. It is political extortion, by any other name,” he said.
He urged Senate Republicans to turn down the offer and have a “great” summer recess back home with their constituents.
By Melanie Sun
