DEMS/GOP/SENATE/TRUMP PEOPLE: “When it comes to presidential nominations, the clock is working against the Trump administration and Senate Republicans in more ways than one. Frustrated over Democrats slow-walking many executive and judicial branch nominees and chewing up Senate floor time in the bargain, Republicans moved on Wednesday [4-25-18] toward shortening stringent time requirements that can turn even a routine confirmation into a C-Span-numbing, multiday slog. In the latest escalation of a hyperpartisan struggle over nominations, Republicans would dearly like to abbreviate the confirmation timetable and deprive Democrats of one of their last remaining weapons to register opposition to Trump nominees they consider objectionable. There is another beat-the-clock aspect at work, as well. With both parties now seeing at least a possibility that Democrats could recapture the Senate in the midterm elections in November, Senate Republicans know that time could be running short on their ability to force through Trump nominees. They would like to take full advantage while they are certain to maintain control.”
-Carl Hulse, “Time’s Not on Their Side as G.O.P. Gripes About Senate Slowdown,” The New York Times online, April 26, 2018