Northeast South Dakota News

U.S. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) addressed the Senate floor, expressing concern over what he described as unprecedented obstruction by Democrats in confirming President Trump’s civilian nominees.

Thune noted that despite the challenges, Senate Republicans have confirmed 107 civilian nominees so far this year, nearly doubling the pace compared to President Trump’s first administration at this point. He attributed this progress to persistent efforts by Republican senators and emphasized the high level of activity in the chamber. According to Thune, “the Senate has taken 437 votes so far this year, which is more than in any Congress at this point in the last 35-plus years,” and more votes have already been cast in 2025 than in a full year for most of the past three decades.

However, Thune highlighted that many nominees are still awaiting confirmation and stated that additional action will be required soon. He said the process could proceed more smoothly if Democrats cooperate.

Thune criticized Democrats for not allowing any of President Trump’s civilian nominees to be confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote, even when there was significant Democratic support for some nominations. He called this approach “a historic level of obstruction.”

He contrasted the current situation with previous administrations: “President Trump is the only president on record – the only president on record – to not have a single one of his civilian nominees confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote at this point in his presidency.” By comparison, President Biden had 44 civilian nominees confirmed by voice vote at a similar stage.

Thune urged Democrats to reconsider their strategy: “They can continue to drag out the process on even the most uncontroversial nominees, and we can spend a lot more hours with each other in the Senate chamber. Or they can rein in their reflexive anti-Trump sentiment and allow some of his rank-and-file nominees to proceed by unanimous consent or voice vote – just as Republicans did when the roles were reversed.”

He concluded by warning about setting a precedent: “I’d remind my colleagues about the dangerous and ugly precedent that they’re setting here. But whether it’s the slow way or the fast way, we’re getting President Trump’s nominees confirmed.”