Senate Agrees to ‘Nuclear Option’ to Speed Up Confirmation of Trump Appointees

The U.S. Senate on Thursday invoked the “nuclear option” to change the chamber’s rules in order to confirm President Donald Trump’s nominees more quickly. In a party-line 53–47 vote, Republicans agreed to a resolution that would provide for expedited consideration of 48 nominees. Similar resolutions could follow to quickly confirm additional batches of nominees later. The vote comes as Democrats have made use of their limited powers in the Senate to slow even Trump’s lesser appointees, making use of procedures that allow members of either party to speak at length prior to a vote. Democrats have taken the entirety of their time for each nominee....