Staff Reports
Donald Trump’s idea that the Senate should go into recess to expedite the appointments of his top officials is being met with dramatic disapproval from the usual suspects. The Senate, home to political theatrics and procedural gymnastics, is now hearing cries of outrage from critics like Max Stier, who lament that such a move would undermine their sacred duty of “advice and consent.” Apparently, the notion of efficiency and keeping the government functioning is an offense to decorum and tradition.
One must wonder why Senate Democrats, who have perfected the art of obstruction, suddenly care about what the Constitution demands. Perhaps they are more concerned about preserving their power than actually fulfilling their roles. Trump’s suggestion to sidestep the slow and ponderous confirmation process would mean that qualified people could start working without gridlock holding them back. Yet here they are, foaming at the mouth over a mere proposal to cut through the bureaucratic muck. It’s almost as if their love for process is outweighed only by their disdain for the man himself.
The EU does not seem to grasp the urgency & severity of the Trump challenge.
The US President-elect's foreign policy team—helped by their ideological affinity with some European politicians—will strive to divide EU member states, warns @StefanLehne.https://t.co/TiztxBG1UD
— Carnegie Europe (@Carnegie_Europe) November 20, 2024
Stier, along with his fellow travelers in the political opposition, might need a reminder that the Senate exists to govern, not to serve as a playground for political games. It seems that any tactic that might streamline the appointment of competent individuals is automatically labeled an “abdication” of responsibility. How quaint. Meanwhile, they have no qualms about hijacking the appointment process to push their own agenda at the expense of efficiency and governance.
Furthermore, the idea that the Senate is constitutionally bound to an arduous confirmation process seems lost on many of these critics, given their repeated obstruction of Trump’s nominees in previous years. They’ve filibustered and delayed, all while countless empty chairs have sat in crucial positions that would help the country move forward. One has to question their actual commitment to the principles they espouse when they only seem to rear their heads at the news of Trump finding a way to get past their roadblocks.
In the grand scheme of things, Trump’s approach might just be the kick in the pants that the Senate needs to remind them of why they’re there in the first place. Whether or not they like it, their job involves confirming appointees who are key to running the country effectively. So while the Senate champions the art of critique from the sidelines, Trump’s proposal shines a light on the fact that occasionally, one must actually do their job, rather than just attend the endless parade of political performances.
