Jul 22, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Thune prepares senators to work first August weekend

John Thune in a dark suit and red tie speaking passionately behind a podium with a microphone, raising one finger, with a yellow and white decorative ceiling background. — Senate Majority Leader John Thune speaks to reporters. Photo: Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images

Majority Leader John Thune warned senators in a closed-door lunch Tuesday to be ready for possible votes on nominations next weekend — potentially taking them into August, three sources familiar with the discussion tell Axios.

Why it matters: Thune is caught between President Trump's demand to cancel the August recess and a conference desperate to campaign, fundraise and talk to voters in their states.

No plans are final. But no senator likes the idea of a potential Saturday vote in early August.
The hope for GOP leaders is to reach an agreement with Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to allow for faster processing of Trump's nominees and limit the impact on recess.
But the lunch warning is a clear sign that Thune is willing to test senators' pain tolerance in his pursuit of confirming more of Trump's nominees.

Zoom in: Senators are still expected to have time at home this weekend, but they could be made to stay in Washington on Friday, Aug. 1, and beyond.

Some senators during the lunch raised concerns about attendance if votes did drag into the weekend or further into August.

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Thune prepares senators to work first August weekend

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