Inside Thune's logjam
Why it matters: A deal to get nominees confirmed fast enough to please Trump and preserve August recess has so far remained elusive — but there is still time for jet fumes to work their magic.
At least one problem was solved: Senators were able to start voting on the first slate of annual appropriations bills Friday afternoon.
There had been bipartisan holdups from senators who wanted a separate vote on a bill providing funding for the legislative branch, which they will now get.
Zoom in: But the bigger issue of nominations still looms over senators' weekend and August plans.
Thune met with Trump on Thursday but left without a solid path forward.
On Thursday night, Trump posted to his Truth Social account that the Senate "must stay in Session, taking no recess, until the entire Executive Calendar is CLEAR!!!"
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), meanwhile, is demanding that the White House release withheld funds and insisting on a smaller package of nominees in exchange for Democrats' sign-off to move faster.
What we're hearing: Mostly, there's unhappiness. Here's a smattering of texts from Senate staffers:
"This is hell"
"Vibes are bad"
"Ok three paths here… None of them are great"
Zoom out: Republicans have already been threatening a nuclear option — using their majority to change chamber rules and fast-track nominations.
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