With the House away, nominations and appropriations remain at the forefront of the Senate’s agenda for what is scheduled to be the final week before August recess.
Advancing President Donald Trump’s nominations is straightforward but laborious, with Democrats showing little willingness to expedite the process. That’s led Trump and some GOP senators to call for slashing the regular August recess period.
“Very Important. Republicans must play to win. Clear the 135. So badly needed!” Trump posted on social media Saturday. That was in response to an earlier X post from Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, calling for senators not to leave for the August break without addressing 135 pending nominations — or to actually recess and not hold pro forma sessions, potentially allowing Trump to make recess appointments.