Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso of Wyoming on Thursday outlined the agenda Senate Republicans plan to complete before the 119th Congress ends, including confirming federal judges, confirming President Trump’s nominees, passing permitting reform and keeping the government funded.
“In 52 days, the 119th Congress ends. Senate Republicans will make every second count,” Mr. Barrasso said in remarks on the Senate floor.
“We will confirm dozens of conservative federal judges to the courts. We will confirm many qualified nominees to positions across the federal government. We will pass historic permitting reform. We will fund the government,” he said.
Mr. Barrasso said two dozen federal judges will come up for confirmation in the coming days. “Under Chairman Grassley, the Senate Judiciary Committee has advanced judges at the fastest pace since Ronald Reagan,” he said. “We will leave no vacancy behind.”
He said Republicans will complete a final nominations package before the end of the year. “President Trump deserves to have his team in place. Senate Republicans will deliver,” he said.
On permitting, Mr. Barrasso pointed to legislation written by Sen. Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Sen. Mike Lee of Utah to streamline environmental reviews and rein in abusive lawsuits against approved projects. The Senate voted 73-25 on Monday to take up the bill, the Bipartisan American Affordability and Jobs Act. “America is ready to build,” Mr. Barrasso said.
He also said Republicans will keep the government open. “Republicans want to keep the government open, pay our troops, and protect essential services,” he said. The current short-term funding bill expires Dec. 11, according to Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley of Iowa, who on Thursday also listed confirming the president’s remaining judicial nominees, keeping the government open and passing permitting reform among his priorities for the rest of the year.
“Republicans will stand strong, united, and energized on behalf of the American people,” Mr. Barrasso said.
