An executive resolution authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.

Bill Number

S.Res. 377

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Passed Senate

Latest Action

2025-09-15: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 44. Record Vote Number: 517.

Last Updated

2026-03-12T15:09:01Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate resolution (S. Res. 377) authorizes the procedural step of considering a group of presidential nominations together ("en bloc") during an Executive Session of the Senate. Its main goal is to streamline the Senate's review and potential confirmation of these nominees, allowing for efficient handling rather than individual debates.

Key Provisions

• Authorization for En Bloc Consideration: The resolution permits a motion to proceed to joint review of 48 specific nominations listed on the Senate's Executive Calendar (a list of pending presidential appointments).
• List of Nominations: The nominees span various executive branch positions, including:
• Assistant Administrators and Secretaries in agencies like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of the Interior (DOI), and Department of Defense (DOD).
• Under Secretaries and Deputy roles in DOE, DOD, Department of the Army, and others.
• Administrators for entities like the Energy Information Administration, Federal Highway Administration, and Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.
• Ambassadors to countries such as Switzerland, Greece, Sweden, and Argentina.
• Other roles, including Inspector General for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), U.S. Representative to the United Nations, and positions in Agriculture, Commerce, Veterans Affairs, and more.
• Process: This applies only to the specified calendar numbers (e.g., 89, 105, up to 350) and is limited to the described procedural move.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• This resolution introduces no substantive changes to existing laws or statutes. It is a procedural tool under Senate rules, facilitating faster consideration of nominations without altering confirmation requirements, qualifications, or oversight processes. Nominations still require individual votes for confirmation after this step.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: Enables quicker filling of leadership roles in key departments (e.g., DOE for energy policy, DOD for defense, DOI for natural resources), potentially improving operational efficiency and policy execution in areas like environmental protection, nuclear security, and transportation safety.
• On Citizens: Indirect benefits through timelier implementation of federal programs, such as energy research, veteran services, or patent protections, though no direct citizen rights are affected.
• On International Relations: Speeds up appointments of ambassadors and U.N. representatives, which could enhance U.S. diplomatic presence and negotiations on issues like trade, security, and global reform.

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Nominees: The 48 individuals listed, whose appointments could be advanced more rapidly.
• Executive Branch: The President (who made the nominations) and agencies like DOE, DOD, State Department, and EPA, which rely on these roles for leadership.
• Senate: Members who handle confirmation votes, potentially reducing time spent on procedural debates.
• Broader Public Interest Groups: Entities in energy, defense, agriculture, and international affairs that interact with these agencies.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Constitutional: Aligns with the Senate's "advice and consent" role under Article II of the U.S. Constitution for confirming executive and judicial appointees, emphasizing procedural efficiency without bypassing scrutiny.
• Legal: No new legal obligations or rights are created; it operates within established Senate rules for executive nominations.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan or majority-supported streamlining in a divided Congress, potentially signaling priorities in filling Trump-era (119th Congress context) administration positions. It may reduce gridlock but could raise concerns about reduced debate on controversial nominees.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Sen. Thune, John [R-SD]

Recent Actions

• 2025-09-15: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 44. Record Vote Number: 517. (Roll call 517)
• 2025-09-15: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 44. Record Vote Number: 517. (Roll call 517)
• 2025-09-15: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S6591)
• 2025-09-11: Upon reconsideration, cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 43. Record Vote Number: 516. (CR S6564) (Roll call 516)
• 2025-09-11: Ruling of the Chair that the point of order raised by Senator Thune with respect to the precedent set on November 21, 2013 regarding the threshold for cloture on an Executive resolution for en bloc consideration of nominations with a calendar number on the Executive Calendar, other than those on level 1 of the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5312, or Article 3 judges not sustained by Yea-Nay Vote. 45 - 53. Record Vote Number: 515. (Roll call 515)
• 2025-09-11: Motion by Senator Thune to appeal the ruling of the chair that the threshold for cloture on an Executive resolution for en bloc consideration of nominations with a calendar number on the Executive Calendar, other than those on level 1 of the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5312 or.
• 2025-09-11: Ruling of the Chair that the point of order raised by Senator Thune with respect to the precedent set on November 21, 2013 regarding the threshold for cloture on an Executive resolution for en bloc consideration of nominations with a calendar number on the Executive Calendar, other than those on level 1 of the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5312, or Article 3 judges, ruled out of order.
• 2025-09-11: Point of order by Senator Thune that consistent with the precedent of the Senate on November 21, 2013, the threshold for cloture on an Executive resolution for en bloc consideration of nominations with a calendar number on the Executive Calendar, other than those on Level 1 of the Executive Schedule under 5 U.S.C. 5312, or Article 3 judges, is a simple majority raised in Senate.
• 2025-09-11: Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on S. Res. 377 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 513) agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 45. Record Vote Number: 514. (Roll call 513)
• 2025-09-11: Motion by Senator Thune to reconsider the vote by which cloture on S. Res. 377 was not invoked (Record Vote No. 513) made in Senate.
• 2025-09-11: Cloture not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 513. (CR S6564-6565) (Roll call 513)
• 2025-09-11: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
• 2025-09-09: Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S6462)
• 2025-09-09: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S6461)
• 2025-09-09: Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 53 - 45. Record Vote Number: 511. (Roll call 511)

Bill Versions

• Authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar. — issued 2025-09-15 — PDF (8 pages)
• Authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar. — issued 2025-09-08 — PDF (8 pages)