Trump Urges Senators to Prioritize Nominee Confirmations Over Vacation

On July 19, President Donald Trump called on senators to forgo their planned August recess until more of his 136 pending civilian nominees are confirmed.

In a Truth Social post, Trump praised Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) for recent successes but pressed for action: “Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed. We need them badly!!!” With the Senate scheduled to adjourn after August 1 and return on September 2, Trump’s call underscores the need for senators to prioritize their constitutional duty to advise and consent on nominations over a month-long break.

As of July 21, 96 civilian nominees have been confirmed, outpacing the 54 confirmed at this point in Trump’s first term and surpassing former President Joe Biden’s first-year totals, according to The Washington Post.

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) has delayed the process by requiring cloture votes for nearly all nominees, slowing progress and leaving key positions vacant.

Appropriations Bills Demand Senate Attention to Avoid Shutdown

Beyond nominations, the Senate faces a pressing deadline to pass annual appropriations bills before the stopgap funding bill, passed with Democratic support in March, expires on September 30, 2025.

With only 16 in-session days left if the August recess proceeds as planned, senators risk a government shutdown unless they act swiftly.

Thune plans to introduce the first of twelve appropriations bills on July 22, starting with funding for military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs, which requires bipartisan support to secure the 60 votes needed to end debate.

Thune emphasized the urgency on Fox News, stating, “We are going to need to get appropriations done. That will require some cooperation from Democrats, and hopefully they will be willing to make sure that the government is funded.”

A continuing resolution to extend current funding levels may be necessary if the recess depletes legislative time, but senators have a duty to prioritize these bills to maintain government operations.

Bipartisan Cooperation Needed Amid Political Tensions

The path to passing appropriations bills is complicated by strained relations between Republicans and Democrats.

Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) expressed willingness to seek bipartisan agreement, stating, “I think the most important thing for us to do is to continue to move the appropriations process as expeditiously as we can, to try and find bipartisan agreement.”

However, Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) voiced skepticism, citing a recent Republican-led rescissions package that cut funding for public broadcasting and foreign aid, saying, “They stabbed us in the back, and if they commit to us that they won’t do that again, then we might be able to write bills.”

Schumer faced criticism from House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) in March for supporting the continuing resolution, highlighting Democratic divisions.

Meanwhile, Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought advocated for conservative priorities, noting, “There is no voter in the country that went to the polls and said, ‘I’m voting for a bipartisan appropriations process.’”

Do you agree with President Trump that the Senate should forgo their August recess until more of his nominees are confirmed? Let us know your thoughts by posting in the comments below!