Jul 24, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Thune's sprint to the finish

Stef W. Kight

Two men in suits, one with glasses, standing under a large ornate chandelier in a room with yellow and white arched ceiling details, both looking serious during a speech or announcement. — Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) listens as Senate Majority Leader Sen. John Thune (right) speaks during a news briefing on July 22. Photo: Alex Wong/Getty Images

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) closed out another week in the Capitol, setting up next week's nominations slog that could drag into the weekend — and chip away at August recess.

Why it matters: Senators have the next couple of days to reset for what is expected to be a jam-packed floor schedule next week, with late-night votes and possible weekend work — unless and until Democrats plead mercy and agree to a time deal.

Already, rare 8pm Monday votes are scheduled.

By the numbers: Senate Republicans have churned through 107 nominations so far this year, tracking with President Biden's pace and beating President Trump's from his first term.

That is despite Democratic resistance. Democrats have refused to allow a single confirmation by unanimous consent or voice vote, a courtesy usually extended to at least some of the president's lower-level nominees.

Zoom in: First up will be David Wright's nomination to the Nuclear Regulatory Commission.

Then comes Earl Matthews' nomination as general counsel of the Department of Defense.
Emil Bove is expected to get a final confirmation vote to be an appeals court judge.
Thune also filed cloture on William Kimmitt for undersecretary of Commerce for international trade, Susan Monarez for director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Samuel Brown for undersecretary of Veterans Affairs for memorial affairs.
Mike Waltz, Trump's former national security adviser, was passed by committee Thursday — despite Sen. Rand Paul's (R-Ky.) efforts) — and his nomination to be U.S. ambassador to the UN could be pushed through next week, as well.

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Thune's sprint to the finish

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