WASHINGTON (North Dakota Monitor) — Senate Republicans are expected to use the rest of their time to confirm nominees before leaving for the holidays in mid-December. Democrats are unlikely to advance Trump’s nominees once they take over the Senate majority.
A Senate GOP aide told States Newsroom that confirming judicial nominees will be a top priority in the coming session, in addition to funding the government, approving a farm bill and passing the annual defense policy bill.
Sen. Kevin Cramer, however, continues to block confirmation of “any and all” of Trump’s nominees to pressure the administration to eliminate a President Joe Biden-era rule dealing with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service wetland easements that the North Dakota Republican has said harm his state’s property owners.
After FWS Director Brian Nesvik visited North Dakota in October, Cramer said he would release a few more of his holds, according to his office.
Cramer has been willing to incrementally lift the holds based on progress he sees from the administration, allowing the confirmation of Labor Secretary Keith Sonderling. Cramer has also lifted a hold on Chris Klomp, nominee for deputy secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.
Comments