On September 18, the US Senate approved 48 nominations of President Donald Trump by just one vote. The move comes shortly after Republican Senators changed the rules, allowing approval in groups rather than individuals as before.
The vote ended with 51 votes in favor and 47 against, clearly reflecting the party-line divide. The approved list includes many important positions in the fields of diplomacy and nuclear energy security.
Former Fox News host Kimberly Guilfoyle was appointed as US Ambassador to Greece. Callista Gingrich - wife of former House of Representatives Speaker Newt Gingrich - became Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. In addition, Mr. Brand Williams was confirmed to hold the position of Deputy Minister for Nuclear Security at the Ministry of Energy.
Previously, Republican Senators used a simple majority to change the regulation, instead of needing 60 votes as usual. They see this as necessary to end the protracted delay caused by the Democrats.
Senate majority leader John Thune has repeatedly accused the Democrats of unprecedentedly blocking personnel approval, paralyzing them. Meanwhile, minority leader Chu Chu Schumer criticized President Trump for picking out the worst candidates in modern history.
It wont take long for Republicans to realize theyre putting the Senate on a dangerous path, Schumer warned.
The change of rules and the approval of a series of senior personnel marks a turning point in the political confrontation in the US, as the two parties continue to be deeply divided in the context of many hot domestic and foreign issues.
