Senate leader contender John Thune responds to new Trump litmus test ahead of election

Senate Minority Whip John Thune, R-S.D., responded to President-Elect Donald Trump’s newly announced litmus test for those vying to be the next GOP leader, exclusively telling Fox News Digital that he was open to it and that “all options are on the table.”

Trump’s request for the new GOP Senate leader to agree to recess appointments comes after his struggle with a divided Congress in 2020, which would not adjourn when he asked them so that he could push through key appointments amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I’ve spent eight months carefully listening to my colleagues about their vision for the next chapter of the Senate Republican Conference, especially as we hit the ground running with President Trump,” Thune told Fox News Digital in an exclusive statement. “One thing is clear: We must act quickly and decisively to get the president’s cabinet and other nominees in place as soon as possible to start delivering on the mandate we’ve been sent to execute, and all options are on the table to make that happen, including recess appointments. We cannot let Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats block the will of the American people,” he continued.

Recess appointments refer to the president’s ability to fill federal vacancies that occur while the Senate is in recess. This power is outlined in the Recess Appointments Clause of the Constitution. For the president to unilaterally make these appointments, the Congress must be in recess.

Trump had previously threatened to exercise his constitutional authority to adjourn both chambers of Congress if they did not agree to adjourn so he could push through key appointments during the COVID-19 pandemic. This move was met with resistance from Democrats.

Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., another contender in the race to succeed Mitch McConnell as GOP leader, quickly agreed with Trump’s request, stating that he would do whatever it takes to get the president’s nominations through as quickly as possible.

Another contender, Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, shared his commitment to confirming President Trump’s cabinet, stating that if he were to become the majority leader, he would keep the Senate in session until those confirmations occur.

The election for the new GOP Senate leader will be conducted by secret ballot on Nov. 13. Trump has not made any endorsement in the race and has not indicated whether he plans to.

In conclusion, all options are being considered by Thune and his fellow contenders in the race to succeed McConnell as GOP leader. The issue of recess appointments is a key point of contention, as Trump emphasizes the need for quick confirmations to fulfill the mandate given by the American people. The race for the new GOP leader continues to unfold, with the candidates vying for the position set to make their case in the coming days.