Cloture votes weaponized to handicap executive branch transition

The Senate has invoked cloture 108 times on executive nominees during the 18 months of the Trump presidency. By calling for cloture with the intent to obstruct progress, the Senate increases the procedure for confirmation by inserting eight separate, time-consuming additional steps. The consistent use of cloture in this manner is unprecedented. Under past administrations, cloture was invoked once during the Presidency of George H.W. Bush, ten times during the first term of the Clinton presidency, four times during the first term of the George W. Bush presidency and 17 times during the first term of the Obama presidency. It is vital that Congress acts as a check on executive power. However, obstructing the transition from one administration to another directly inhibits the establishment of the duly elected presidency.

WSJ: The Senate’s Unprecedented Obstruction

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Topics: Legislative Procedure