Senators are searching for a last-minute off-ramp to avoid using the so-called “nuclear option” to implement a rule change that would allow Republicans to pass President Trump’s sub-Cabinet nominees “en bloc” due to a Democratic blockade.
With a vote on the change on deck in a couple of hours, bipartisan talks have intensified with the goal of reaching a deal with Democrats, according to three Senate GOP sources.
The “nuclear option” allows the majority party in the Senate to change the rules via a simple majority vote. It is so called because it is seen as extremely detrimental to bipartisanship in the chamber.
The latest discussions are centering around a modified version of a proposal made by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Angus King (I-Maine) two years ago that would have allowed for 10 nominees from the same committee to be confirmed “en bloc.”
“On the Republican side, there is [consent]. On the Democratic side, they’re still talking,” said Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.), noting that roughly 15 Senate Democrats are supportive of the proposed plan. “It would not require a ‘nuclear option,’ which we’re really trying to avoid at all costs. … Now, we’re going to find out whether or not the Senate Democratic leadership will accept what their team is proposing.”
One Senate GOP source noted that bipartisan talks have been ongoing since August, parallel with the majority party’s internal discussions that led them to the current plan. The GOP’s proposal would allow them to pass “en bloc” lower-level nominees with majority support, with an eye toward clearing the nearly 150 civilian posts that have languished due to a Democratic logjam.
The plan being proposed now would increase the number from 10, as Klobuchar-King required, the source added.
“If we can get ourselves to a point where Republicans and Democrats agree that a more efficient process for handling these nominations works … then that’s where we want to be,” Sen. Lisa Murkowski (D-Alaska) said. “The conversations are continuing and I think that’s good.”
But whether that will be good enough for Democrats is a major question. Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) objected when Senate Republicans offered to pass the original Klobuchar-King package via unanimous consent earlier in the week.
The package would also be passed with an eye toward averting recess appointments in the future.
“I’m hopeful,” Rounds said, noting that members have “several hours” to decide one way or another on this package. The GOP will otherwise move ahead with the current partisan plan.
“We prefer not to, but we’re going to have to move,” he added.
