Thune launches ‘nuclear’ Senate rules change to fast-track Trump nominees

Published September 8, 2025 7:36pm ET



Senate Republicans took the first step on Monday to invoke the so-called “nuclear” option to change chamber rules and allow dozens of President Donald Trump’s pending nominees to be swiftly confirmed en bloc.

Although nominees are already approved with a simple majority and are not subject to the 60-vote filibuster, they require individual and time-consuming votes due to Democratic opposition. Each can often take days to confirm, an arduous process Republicans say requires an overhaul in the face of “unprecedented” roadblocks from Democrats.

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