Senate Republicans invoked the "nuclear option", changing Senate rules to expedite confirmation of President Trump's executive branch nominees. A 53-45 party-line vote allows en bloc confirmations, bypassing individual debate for nominees subject to only two hours of debate. Democrats criticized the move as prioritizing speed over deliberation and empowering the executive branch. Republicans countered that Democrats obstructed nominations, necessitating the rule change. This fast-tracks 48 Trump nominees, including several ambassadorial and subcabinet appointments, setting a precedent for future presidential nominations.

Prepared by Lauren Mitchell and reviewed by editorial team.