Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer offered up some advice to his upcoming successor, Republican Sen. John Thune, to preserve the “vital role” of the Senate in confirming the nominees of President-elect Donald Trump.
“Senate Democrats stand ready and willing to work with Senate Republicans to provide advice and consent as we evaluate all of the incoming president’s nominations,” said a Monday letter from Mr. Schumer, New York Democrat, to Mr. Thune, South Dakota Republican.
He said Democrats are ready to work in a “bipartisan fashion to process each nominee by reviewing standard FBI background-investigation materials, scheduling hearings and markups in the committees of jurisdiction, and considering nominees on the Senate floor.”
“In our system of checks and balances, the Senate plays a vital role in ensuring the president appoints well-qualified public officials that will dutifully serve the American people and honor their oaths to the Constitution,” the letter said. “Regardless of party, the Senate has upheld this sacred duty for generations and we should not and must not waver in our Constitutional duty.
The letter comes as Mr. Trump has suggested using recess appointments to get his Cabinet nominees into place if the Senate starts rejecting his picks.
The president-elect has chosen a few controversial individuals to fill out some important positions, like former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard as Director of National Intelligence, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as head of Health and Human Services and Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense.
Mr. Thune has hinted before that he is open to using recess appointments, but will have to see how everything plays out in the Senate.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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