The Daily Signal The Senate Struggles to Confirm Nominees Almost a Year Into Trump's 2nd Term | Dec. 10, 2025
Dec 10, 2025
Rob Bluey, President of The Daily Signal, is a seasoned conservative journalist who provides deep insights into political nominations. He discusses the sluggish confirmation process for Trump's nominees, highlighting how Senate procedures and partisan tactics have created delays. Bluey explains the impact of blue slips and home-state influences, while lamenting the consequences of vacant U.S. attorney positions on prosecutions. He also reflects on the shifting dynamics of bipartisan confirmations and the political risks ahead as control of Congress changes.
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Delay Tactics Slow Confirmations
- Senate procedure and minority delay have slowed confirmations compared with Trump's first term.
- Rob Bluey says Democrats now maximize consideration time to block nominees and force packaging into large bundles.
Blue Slips Empower Home-State Senators
- Blue slips give home-state senators extra influence over nominees and can obstruct the administration's picks.
- Rob Bluey notes President Trump often resists that tradition as he seeks to 'drain the swamp.'
Push Confirmations Before Year-End
- Act now: Senators should push nominees through before year-end to avoid long vacancies.
- Rob Bluey urges Senator Thune and Republicans to advance confirmations before the one-year mark.