[Congressional Record Volume 165, Number 72 (Thursday, May 2, 2019)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2579-S2580]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                              NOMINATIONS

  Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, a few weeks ago, a majority of the 
Senate took a modest step to revise some of our institutional 
traditions and process the President's nominees for lower level 
positions in a more fair and expeditious manner. At the time, our 
Democratic colleagues protested angrily. They had gladly supported a

[[Page S2580]]

nearly identical procedural step in 2013 when it stood to benefit 
President Obama. Now, with a different occupant in the White House, 
apparently the same principle just doesn't apply.
  They said their unprecedented delays and obstruction were justified 
because this administration's nominees were so controversial. They said 
there were legitimate reasons why they had forced cloture votes on 40-
plus different positions for the first time in history and wasted so 
much floor time.
  My Democratic colleagues insisted these were highly controversial 
people. Well, Republicans knew better, so we took the sensible step to 
expedite the proceedings for these lower level nominations. It is time 
to take a look at some of the individuals who have been moving through 
under these new procedures and how controversial they are.
  This week alone, we have now confirmed the Energy Department's 
general counsel by a vote of 68 to 31; the Director of the Pension 
Benefit Guaranty Corporation, 72 to 27; and an Assistant Secretary of 
State, 90 to 8. Yesterday afternoon, we advanced the nominations of 
three district court judges with 64 votes, 89 votes, and 94 votes. 
Obviously, they are really controversial people we have been talking 
about here.
  We aren't talking about lightning-rod partisans here. These are 
abundantly qualified, noncontroversial public servants. They are the 
kinds who used to go in big groups by voice vote. The two leaders would 
put together packages and voice vote them. Well, our friends across the 
aisle aren't letting that happen.
  Now we are beginning to make better progress, nonetheless. Now that 
we are finally able to get these people voted on, our Democratic 
colleagues mostly don't oppose them. It would be almost comical if it 
weren't a sad reminder of just how totally pointless the past 2 years 
of obstruction have been.
  But it is also a hopeful sign as we move forward. After studying and 
considering these nominees, the Senate will keep on filling traditional 
vacancies. We will keep confirming the President's team. We will keep 
giving the American people the government they actually voted for back 
in 2016.

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