Thune keeps door open to nixing August recess after Trump request
Share and Follow


Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) said on Monday that he is open to President Trump’s call to cancel the August recess as part of the GOP’s push to quickly confirm his nominees.

Thune told reporters he was considering the move, alleging Democrats broke precedent by not allowing the expeditious confirmation of any of Trump’s nominees.

“We’re thinking about it. We want to get as many [nominations] through the pipeline as we can,” Thune said at the Capitol, adding that it would be “nice to have” Democrats “act more according to historical precedents when it comes to this.”

“Trump’s the first president in history that hasn’t had a [nomination] adopted by this point in his presidency either by unanimous consent or voice. Not a single one,” Thune continued. “Trying to get his team in place is something that we’re very committed to and we’re going to be looking at all the options in the next few weeks to try and get as many of those across the finish line as we can.”

In addition to nominations, the South Dakota Republican said government funding and the annual National Defense Authorization Act would top the to-do list if members are kept in town.

Thune also said he and Trump have discussed the idea. 

Trump on Saturday urged the GOP leader to keep senators in Washington.

“Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “We need them badly!!!”

Republicans have scores of nominees waiting to get the green light for confirmation, including via the Foreign Relations Committee. GOP leaders have also started to move judicial nominees to the floor. 

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Desperate homeowners spend $400K to save properties from the sea

Homeowners Invest $400K to Protect Coastal Homes from Rising Seas

In Buxton, North Carolina, the relentless Atlantic Ocean claimed five more oceanfront…
GOP lawmakers question 'long-term fairness' of trade boost to Argentinian beef

Republican Lawmakers Raise Concerns Over Long-Term Fairness of Trade Increase for Argentinian Beef

McALLEN, Texas (Border Report) — A group of over twelve Republican lawmakers…
Coast Guard stops panga with 11 Mexican migrants near San Diego

U.S. Coast Guard Intercepts Vessel Carrying 11 Mexican Migrants Near San Diego Coast

The Nexstar Media video above explains the deportation process In a recent…
Couple help secure girls on roller coaster after alleged seat belt malfunction at Worlds of Fun in Kansas City, Missouri

Heroic Couple Intervenes in Alleged Roller Coaster Seat Belt Malfunction at Kansas City’s Worlds of Fun

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — What was supposed to be an exhilarating day…
FILE - Former Kentucky Gov. Martha Layne Collins is consoled after Kentucky Democratic Senate Alison Grimes gave her concession speech, Tuesday Nov. 4, 2014 in Lexington, Ky. (AP Photo/ John Flavell, File)

Trailblazing Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins Passes Away at 88

LEXINGTON, Ky. (AP) — Martha Layne Collins, the trailblazing first female governor…
SNL mocks Trump's White House renovation with HGTV-style makeover

SNL Satirizes Trump’s White House Renovation with a Humorous HGTV-Inspired Makeover

Saturday Night Live humorously tackled Donald Trump’s White House redesign with a…
Japan deploys military after record bear attacks across country

Japan Mobilizes Military in Response to Unprecedented Surge in Bear Encounters

Japan is grappling with an unprecedented surge in bear attacks, compelling local…
SNL gathers big-name cast to roast NYC mayoral debate in cold open

SNL Assembles Star-Studded Cast for Satirical Take on NYC Mayoral Debate in Cold Open

In the latest cold open of Saturday Night Live, the focus was…