Democratic Senator Says He Will Block Trump Nominees Until USAID Is Back
www.dailykos.com
Wall Street Journal WASHINGTON—Sen. Brian Schatz (D., Hawaii) said he would place a “blanket hold” on all of President Trump’s State Department nominees until his administration’s attack on the leading foreign-assistance agency ends, a move that...

Summary

Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI) announced he will block all of Trump’s State Department nominees until USAID is reinstated.

His move comes after Elon Musk took control of USAID, placed senior staff on leave, and seized classified information.

Schatz condemned the administration’s “authoritarian behavior” and vowed to delay confirmations until USAID operates normally.

His blockade could significantly slow Trump’s ability to fill key diplomatic positions, forcing Senate Republicans to spend more time pushing nominations through.

  • tburkhol@lemmy.world
    45·
    1 day ago

    Trump 45 was happy to let his appointees work as interim this-or-that or acting whatchamacallit, and those people seemed to have exactly as much authority as confirmed appointees. Maybe they didn’t get the full paycheck? but senate confirmation seems to be completely unnecessary to the exercise of power when everyone just goes along anyway.

    I’d be pretty happy to see Dems grind congress to an halt with investigations of absolutely everything, filibusters of everything else, and red card holds, or whatever other magical Senate traditions allow single Senators to completely stifle government activity.