US Senate approves 48 Trump nominees in a single vote

Following a recent rule change that allows the chamber to approve lower-level appointments in batches rather than just once, the United States Senate confirmed 48 of President Donald Trump’s nominees for government positions.

Kimberly Guilfoyle, a former FOX News host and Donald Trump Jr. fiancee, was named as the US Ambassador to Greece on Thursday.

Additionally, Callista Gingrich, the wife of conservative political pundit Newt Gingrich, was appointed ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. During Trump’s first administration, she previously served as the US’s Holy See.

Additionally, the Senate, which is controlled by Republicans, approved numerous nominations for US ambassadors to Argentina and Sweden as well as for defense, energy, labor, and interior.

The Trump administration, which has struggled to secure approval for more than 100 appointees despite persistent opposition from Democrats, has been described in the US media as a significant victory.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune credited a change in rules last week to “overcome Democrats’ historic obstruction” of the nomination process with facilitating the vote.

According to The Associated Press news agency, the Senate can now approve lower-level nominations with a simple majority in accordance with the new regulations.

For higher-level positions, including judicial and cabinet nominations, the old rules still apply.

The Senate’s long-standing practice of confirming nominees in batches was reinstated last week by @SenateGOP, who overcame Democrats’ previous obstruction.

To put together the @POTUS’ team, the Senate will confirm a slate of 48 nominees later today. pic. twitter.com/IcRmQLTz3K

According to Thune, the approval of even uncontroversial civilian nominations has become a more contentious process for presidents in recent years. They were once approved by almost unanimous consent or “voice vote,” a simple measure of vocal approval.

Thune, who accused Democrats of “delay for delay’s sake,” told the Senate on Thursday, “President Trump is] the first president on record to have a civilian nominee confirmed by unanimous consent or voice vote.”

In a post on Truth Social in August, the president told Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer to “GO TO HELL” during a Senate recess. Democrats were against Trump’s nominations for government positions because they were “historically bad,” according to Schumer at the time.