Democratic Hawaii Sen. Brian Schatz is blocking more than 300 of President Donald Trump’s nominees from swift confirmation votes despite previously criticizing efforts to stall nominations during the Biden administration.
Schatz’s blockade on hundreds of Trump nominees and at least nine bipartisan foreign relations bills comes as Senate Democrats are escalating opposition tactics against the Trump administration to appease their left-wing base. Schatz, a member of Senate Democratic leadership, previously criticized Republican Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s decision to place holds on military officials’ promotions as “obstruction” and “antithetical” to the Senate’s “advice and consent” responsibilities.
Schatz expanded his holds on Trump nominees to include individuals tapped to serve across 12 agencies, such as former New York Republican Rep. Anthony D’Esposito whom Trump appointed to a Department of Labor position, Axios reported.
Hellbound and Down 