An executive resolution authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar.
- Bill Number
- S.Res. 520
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Congress
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-12-04: Cloture, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, was not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 - 37. Record Vote Number: 633. (CR S8501)
- Last Updated
- 2026-03-12T15:09:57Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
This Senate resolution (S. Res. 520) authorizes the Senate to consider a group of executive branch nominations together ("en bloc") during an Executive Session. The goal is to streamline the review and potential confirmation of multiple nominees listed on the Senate's Executive Calendar, allowing for more efficient handling of presidential appointments.
Key Provisions
- Authorization for En Bloc Consideration: The resolution permits a motion to proceed to debate and vote on 88 specified nominations as a single package, rather than addressing each one individually.
- List of Nominations: It identifies nominations by calendar number, nominee name, state of residence, and position. Examples include:
- Assistant Secretaries and Under Secretaries in departments like Labor, Homeland Security, Defense, Housing and Urban Development, Treasury, Agriculture, and Commerce.
- General Counsels and Inspectors General for agencies such as the Navy, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, and Department of Health and Human Services.
- United States Attorneys for various federal districts (e.g., Eastern District of Louisiana, Middle District of Tennessee).
- Ambassadors to countries like South Africa, Spain (concurrent with Andorra), and Bangladesh.
- Board members and commissioners for entities like the Tennessee Valley Authority, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
- Other roles, such as Director of National Drug Control Policy, Chief Information Officer of the Department of Defense, and Associate Judges of the Superior Court of the District of Columbia.
- Terms of Service: Many positions specify fixed terms (e.g., 4 years for U.S. Attorneys, 5 years for some board members, 15 years for D.C. judges).
- Procedural Note: Submitted by Mr. Thune on December 1, 2025, and ordered to lie over under Senate rules, meaning it awaits further action.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- This resolution introduces no substantive changes to existing laws or statutes. It is a procedural tool under Senate rules to facilitate the handling of nominations, without altering the underlying nomination or confirmation processes outlined in the U.S. Constitution (Article II, Section 2) or federal statutes like the Administrative Procedure Act.
Potential Impacts
- On Government Agencies: Expedites filling key leadership roles across executive departments (e.g., Defense, Treasury, Homeland Security), potentially improving operational efficiency and policy implementation in areas like national security, economic policy, veterans' affairs, and environmental protection.
- On Citizens: Faster confirmations could lead to more stable government services, such as labor protections, housing programs, drug control efforts, and judicial appointments in the District of Columbia, benefiting the public through reduced vacancies.
- On International Relations: Quick placement of ambassadors and diplomatic roles (e.g., to South Africa or Bangladesh) may enhance U.S. foreign policy execution and bilateral ties without delays.
- Overall, it reduces Senate backlog but does not guarantee confirmations, as individual votes may still occur post-en bloc debate.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Nominees: The 88 individuals listed, primarily from states like Florida, Virginia, Texas, and others, who seek confirmation for high-level positions.
- Executive Branch: The President and agencies (e.g., Departments of Defense, State, Treasury) relying on these appointees to execute policies.
- Senate: Members who vote on confirmations, with procedural efficiency aiding workload management.
- Public and Interest Groups: Citizens, businesses, labor unions, veterans, and environmental advocates impacted by agency leadership in areas like trade, housing, and national security.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal/Constitutional: Aligns with the Senate's constitutional advice-and-consent role for executive nominations. "En bloc" consideration is a standard parliamentary procedure to manage time, but it requires majority support and does not bypass individual scrutiny if challenged.
- Political: Facilitates rapid advancement of the President's agenda in the 119th Congress (1st Session), potentially signaling partisan efficiency in a divided government. No major controversies noted in the text, but it could influence confirmation timelines amid broader debates on executive power.
- Other: One nomination (Calendar No. 538) is for a new position, which may require separate statutory authority; reappointments (e.g., Calendar No. 555) highlight continuity in leadership.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2025-12-04: Cloture, not having achieved 60 votes in the affirmative, was not invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 43 - 37. Record Vote Number: 633. (CR S8501) (Roll call 633)
- 2025-12-04: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
- 2025-12-02: Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S8433)
- 2025-12-02: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S8433)
- 2025-12-02: Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Voice Vote.
- 2025-12-01: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar under Over, Under the Rule. Calendar No. 3.
- 2025-12-01: Submitted in the Senate Placed on Executive Calendar under Over, Under the Rule.
- 2025-12-01: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar. — issued 2025-12-01 — PDF (14 pages)