Senate's intense debate over Trump's confirmation intensifies
Republican Senate leaders are contemplating changes to the Senate's rules to accelerate the confirmation of President Trump's nominees, citing what they describe as unprecedented Democratic delays and obstruction. Key proposals under consideration include eliminating the Senate cloture vote, imposing shorter debate time limits, using recess appointments, and staying in continuous session to prevent delays caused by breaks.
Senate Majority Leader John Thune and other GOP leaders, including retired Mitch McConnell and Senator John Cornyn, have voiced support for these measures as a response to what they call "unprecedented obstruction" by Democrats. Senator Eric Schmitt indicated that all options, including recess appointments, are on the table given the delays.
Democrats have criticized the Republican strategy, warning that rewriting Senate rules unilaterally to expedite confirmations could have long-term consequences for the institution and bipartisan cooperation. Senator Alex Padilla, Ranking Member on the Senate Rules Committee, expressed concern that Republicans’ willingness to "go nuclear" again on Senate rules represents a significant change in principle and could lead to damage beyond the current presidency.
In other news, the Canberra government awarded a huge contract to a Japanese firm to build advanced warships for Australia's navy, deepening military ties between the two nations. The deal, part of a wider restructuring of Australia's military, focuses on countering China's navy.
In Detroit, City Council President Mary Sheffield won most of the primary vote and a spot in the November runoff. In Seattle, progressives gained some ground in city races.
In international politics, India is under escalating economic pressure from the US, while its regional rival Pakistan hails closer ties with Washington. The US and other oil-producing states are opposing a global treaty to curb plastic pollution, dimming hopes for success. Measles, once on the verge of being defeated globally, is surging again due to vaccine skepticism.
In business, Saudi Arabia's state oil giant reported worse-than-expected earnings, with quarterly profit falling for a 10th successive quarter. BP made its largest global oil and gas discovery in 25 years off the coast of Brazil, boosting the British major's efforts to refocus on fossil fuels and shift away from renewables. Tesla is giving Elon Musk $29 billion in stock to keep his "energies focused" on the carmaker rather than his sprawling space, AI, and brain-science empire.
In politics, Democrats fended off Republicans in two special elections, holding a state senate seat in Rhode Island and a state house seat in Delaware. In Brazil, Supreme Court put former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest ahead of his trial over an alleged coup plot. Members of the oil producers' group OPEC+ agreed to raise production as concerns grow over possible disruptions to Russian supply.
US and Israeli officials backed a new plan to end the war in Gaza through one agreement rather than piecemeal truces. Mike Rounds, a senator from South Dakota, presided over the Senate's first pro forma session of August to block presidential recess appointments. The US's latest tariff hikes injected fresh uncertainty into international markets, underscoring Trump's remaking of the global economic order. Long-term, Rounds wants to cut down the number of jobs requiring Senate confirmation by as many as 400.
Finally, Canada has had more cases than the entire US this year, and could soon lose its status of having eliminated the virus. Stefano Famiglietti, a conservative Democrat in Rhode Island, won by 66 points in a district Kamala Harris had won by 11. Americans are starting to think more positively about China, according to new polling from the think tank Third Way.
- General-news reports suggest that Democrats have raised concerns about the potential long-term consequences for the Senate institution and bipartisan cooperation if Republican leaders unilaterally rewrite Senate rules to expedite confirmations.
- In politics, Senator Mike Rounds from South Dakota has taken measures to block presidential recess appointments, indicating a focus on maintaining the Senate's authority in the appointment process.
