by Emmitt Barry, with reporting from Washington D.C. Bureau Staff
(Worthy News) – Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, Senate Republicans on Tuesday confirmed 107 of President Donald Trump’s nominees in a 51-47 party-line vote, effectively ending what GOP leaders called a “Democrat confirmation blockade.”
The confirmations represent one of the largest single-day approval batches of Trump nominees, following a previous round of 48 approvals in September. Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-Wyo.) praised the move, saying, “Before Senate Democrats shut down the federal government, they shut down the Senate floor — freezing the confirmation process. Tonight, Senate Republicans confirmed 107 of those qualified nominees and ended the Democrats’ confirmation blockade.”
The nominees include a wide range of positions across key federal departments and diplomatic posts. More than two dozen ambassadorships were filled, along with over a dozen U.S. Attorneys and several assistant secretaries for departments such as Treasury, Energy, Interior, and Defense.
Among the high-profile confirmations were former NFL star and 2022 Georgia Senate candidate Herschel Walker, now appointed as U.S. Ambassador to the Bahamas, and political strategist Sergio Gor, confirmed as U.S. Ambassador to India and Special Envoy for South and Central Asian Affairs. Gor’s appointment highlights the administration’s focus on strengthening U.S. relations with India and regional partners in the Indo-Pacific.
Also included in the slate was Paul Atkins, reappointed as Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) through 2031, and Brittany Panuccio, confirmed as a commissioner of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC). Her confirmation gives Republicans a majority on the EEOC, restoring quorum for the agency to implement new policy directions, including investigations into diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives seen as discriminatory under Trump’s executive orders.
The large-scale confirmations were made possible under a recent Senate rules change that allows groups of non-judicial nominees to be voted on together, streamlining the process by bypassing lengthy individual debates and filibusters.
Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) celebrated the vote, posting on X, “CONFIRMED: 107 Trump nominees en bloc — meaning in one package vote. Senate business continues, even on day seven of the Schumer Shutdown.”
The vote comes as the government shutdown enters its second week, with both parties blaming each other for the funding impasse. However, Republicans said Tuesday’s action showed that key government functions, particularly appointments, can still move forward despite the stalemate.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
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