Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is suggesting that Republican lawmakers have been “more fair” in their approach to President Joe Biden’s nominees than Democrats were to former President Donald Trump’s nominees.
During a speech on the Senate floor on Tuesday, McConnell noted that he believes presidents should have “latitude” to appoint the nominees of their choice as long as they are “qualified and mainstream individuals.” He went on to cite examples of Biden’s nominees who received bipartisan support.
“Even with the time spent on impeachment, half of the nominees I just mentioned were confirmed faster than President Trump’s nominees to the same spots. And most of them received a more bipartisan margin now than four years ago. So this administration is perfectly fair treatment from the Senate,” McConnell said.
He continued, “Frankly, the president and his team must be thrilled that Senate Republicans are proving to be more fair and more principled on personnel matters than the Democratic minority’s behavior just four years ago.”
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Sen. Mitch McConnell: "The president and his team must be thrilled that Senate Republicans are proving to be more fair and more principled on personnel matters than the Democratic minority's behavior just four years ago." pic.twitter.com/6tHPF6ybMs
— The Hill (@thehill) March 9, 2021
McConnell added that he will support Biden’s nominee for attorney general, Judge Merrick Garland. But he said, “We’ll continue to fight hard against people who are the wrong choices for key positions. We’re going to shine a bright spotlight on anyone who seems more focused on far left ideology than on serving all of the American people.”
McConnell’s comments come as Republicans are expressing skepticism about the nomination of Vanita Gupta, Biden’s pick for the Justice Department’s No. 3 post.
Republicans have pointed to her past tweets and views. Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), the top Republican on the Senate Judiciary Committee, accused Gupta of “strident liberal advocacy” and of being overly partisan.
They have also expressed opposition to Xavier Becerra, Biden’s pick to lead the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as they note his lack of healthcare experience and his support for abortion rights.
So far, the Senate has confirmed 13 of Biden’s 23 Cabinet nominees.
Democrats can confirm Biden’s nominees without Republican support if they can secure a simple majority — usually just 51-votes.
There are 50 Democrats in the chamber and Vice President Kamala Harris can cast the tie-breaking vote. However, that would require every Democrat to vote for the nominee’s confirmation.
Last week, the White House withdrew Neera Tanden‘s nomination to lead the White House budget office after Sen. Joe Manchin (D-W. Va.) said he would oppose her confirmation and it appeared unlikely that any Republican would vote for her confirmation.