Senate Votes To Abridge Confirmation Process

By a vote of 79-20, the Senate passed a bill aimed at streamlining the process by which Presidential nominees are confirmed. The Presidential Appointment Efficiency and Streamlining Act of 2011 mostly makes it easier for noncontroversial nominees to take their positions in a more timely fashion.

Proponents of the legislation had argued that it was necessary to prevent the current backlog of executive nominations from growing even larger in the weeks and months to come.

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said the bill “strikes the right balance between getting important positions in the government filled quickly and preserving the Senate’s ‘advice and consent’ role.”

Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.), however, said he voted against the bill because he perceived it as a conduit to growing the size of government.

“Rather than to look at this behemoth that we have created, we are looking to make it somewhat less accountable.”

The bill is expected to pass the House.

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