Senate Republicans Rush Through Diplomatic Appointments

The U. S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee recently approved a large group of Donald Trump's nominees for diplomatic roles. This move came as Republicans pushed to change Senate rules to speed up the confirmation process. Among the nominees were some big names, like Michael Waltz, who was picked to be the U. S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Sergio Gor, chosen to be the ambassador to India. The votes mostly followed party lines, with Democrats opposing most of the picks and Republicans supporting them. This isn't the first time the committee has faced such divisions. Earlier this year, they approved five nominees despite a Democratic boycott, which was unusual for a committee known for its bipartisanship. Republicans have been frustrated by the slow pace of confirming Trump's nominees. They recently changed Senate rules to reduce the ability of the minority party to delay these confirmations. However, it's still unclear if some nominees, like Waltz, will be confirmed in time for important events, such as the U. N. General Assembly. The Senate has a lot on its plate, including negotiations to avoid a government shutdown at the end of the fiscal year. They are also preparing for a recess next week.