The Senate Judiciary Committee’s consideration of Kash Patel’s nomination to lead the FBI was pushed until next week as Democrats delayed it due to panel rules. 

Voting on Patel’s nomination was on the agenda for Judiciary members, but Democrats requested it be held over one week. It is the prerogative of a member to request such a move one time. 

A similar move was made on Attorney General Pam Bondi’s nomination last month. 

Patel is now expected to be voted out of committee by Republicans next Thursday. 

This does little to affect Patel’s confirmation chances, however, as he is still in a strong position to win the green light from Republican senators when all is said and done. 

With Patel held over, Senate Republicans are expected to consider Tulsi Gabbard Trump’s pick for national intelligence director and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as Health and Human Services secretary, as part of the next batch of Trump nominees set to be confirmed in the coming weeks.

The move follows an expeditious effort by Republicans to move the president’s nominees through the chamber. The Senate has confirmed 12 nominees in less than three weeks. 

The chamber is also expected to cement Russell Vought as director the Office of Management and Budget Thursday night, with the push far outpacing the president’s first term or during former President Biden’s tenure.