Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said President Trump should consult with congressional Republicans more closely before making major policy announcements or floating nominations to major administrative or Cabinet positions.
“That’s good advice,” McConnell, R-Ky., said during an interview with reporters in his Capitol Hill office.
Trump is facing a backlash among the Senate GOP on Capitol Hill over his recent announcement, now withdrawn, that he wanted Congress to pass a bill to repeal and replace Obamacare this year.
[Related: Trump: GOP ‘will be the party of great healthcare’]
Republicans are also unhappy with names floated as nominees to the Federal Reserve Board and the Department of Homeland Security, which is now lacking a secretary and other top deputies after Trump cleaned house earlier this week.
Former pizza chain CEO and 2012 GOP presidential candidate Herman Cain and Trump campaign adviser and conservative economist Stephen Moore are said to be Trump’s top choices to fill seats on the central bank.
But they may not be able to win a GOP majority needed for confirmation.
At least four Republican lawmakers oppose Cain and many are uncertain about Moore.
“There are two things things the administration ought to consider, before nominating someone,” McConnell said. “First, obviously a background check and second, likelihood of confirmation. Generally better to check that out in advance before you send a nomination up.”
