A group of Republican senators is urging Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to cancel the August recess if the Senate does not complete the appropriations process and pass nominations before the month-long break.
Headed by Sen. David Perdue, R-Ga., a group of seven GOP senators on Tuesday called on McConnell to keep the Senate open as Republicans push for the upper chamber to take up the 12 appropriations bills ahead of the August recess despite only having 52 working days, excluding Fridays, to get the work done. They also called on the Senate to work weekends and throughout the night to get these nominees through.
“This is nothing more than trying to make our government work again,” Perdue said. He also hit Democrats for what he deems to be “pure, unadulterated obstruction” for their refusal to waive the 30-hour debate rule.
The push comes five days after 16 GOP senators sent a letter to McConnell calling for him to work through the recess period and the end of the fiscal year. Perdue first made his call to end the recess early last week.
“We want to offer our full support to expedite floor consideration, even if we must work nights and weekends and forgo the August recess to get it done,” the letter to McConnell read before noting the need to pass 12 appropriations bills in 12 weeks.
“That alone is an impossible task,” they said. “When combined w/ the crucial need to confirm more nominees, it is clear we do not have enough time.
“Many of us encouraged cancelling August recess last year to meet our legislative goals. As a result, the Senate confirmed 77 nominations with no floor debate, a significant concession from the minority party. Our diligence was rewarded with reason, and it can happen again.”
A similar group of GOP senators called for the recess to be canceled last year, too. While the Senate only worked an extra week, McConnell was able to confirm 77 nominees before the break.
While nominees is an important topic, the budget process is front and center in their minds. Government funding is set to expire at the end of September, setting up a showdown just over a month before the midterm elections. President Trump is personally urging the Senate to remain in session during August and get funding done by then, particularly in the wake of the omnibus spending deal that he reluctantly signed in March.
