Sen. Brian Schatz (C/G-HI) threatens to place a “blanket hold” on all of President Trump’s State Department nominees until the administration’s attack on the leading U.S. foreign-assistance agency ends, a move that may place a minor speed bump between President Trump and getting his foreign-policy team in place.
Schatz’s threat came as Elon Musk’s DOGE has all but closed USAID, as an independent government organization codified in federal law. Over the weekend, DOGE entered USAID’s headquarters in Washington and closed the building to employees on Monday.
The Senate typically speeds up the confirmation of many nominees through “unanimous consent,” a process that bypasses a formal vote if no senator objects. By objecting, Schatz’s hold would halt the Senate’s ability to move nominees quickly, requiring Senate Majority Leader John Thune to use precious floor time to advance the president’s picks through the confirmation process.
Sen. Schatz told The Wall Street Journal:
I will oppose unanimous consent. I will vote no. I will do maximal delays until this is resolved.
Representatives for the White House and State Department did not immediately return requests for comment.
Holds are a commonly used tactic by lawmakers to secure their policy preferences. During The Obiden Regime, Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) blocked Defense Department nominees because he opposed the Pentagon paying troops so they could travel for abortion-related services. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) also slowed down the State confirmation process because Joe Biden allowed Germany to complete a pipeline to receive Russian energy.
Schatz’s move shows the Left is attempting to block DOGE’s attempts to dissolve USAID—and it a signals a somewhat organized push back on President Trump.
Communist/Globalist lawmakers Monday gathered at the agency’s Washington headquarters to protest the Trump administration’s proposed closure of USAID. They have spoken with Republicans in recent days over what actions, if any, they may take to reverse the administration’s actions against USAID. For now, they say there is little they can do legislatively, especially because the organization’s existence already is delineated in federal statute.
Schatz said he hopes the judicial system may at least temporarily stop DOGE’s attempts to close USAID. He said:
You cannot wave a wand and eliminate a department established by federal law, so it will be reversed by a court.
Sen. Chris Van Hollen, (C/G-MD) said he was in touch with the group Democracy Forward, a legal nonprofit organization, that would be willing to take up USAID’s cause. The best venue may be filing a lawsuit in Washington, D.C.’s federal court, he said.
On Monday, USAID personnel woke up to an email barring them from showing up for work. The agency’s personnel were instructed to work remotely except for officials with essential functions who have been directly contacted by senior leaders. The email indicated that employees will receive more instructions later.
God speed to the Trump-Vance team.
