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

Bill Number

S.Res. 690

Origin Chamber

Senate

Congress

119th Congress, Session 2

Policy Area

Congress

Status

Passed Senate

Latest Action

2026-05-11: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 45. Record Vote Number: 114. (text: CR 4/27/2026 S2056-2057)

Last Updated

2026-05-15T19:14:07Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This Senate resolution (S. Res. 690) authorizes the Senate to consider a group of 49 presidential nominations en bloc (all together as a single package) during an Executive Session (a closed Senate meeting focused on nominations and treaties). It streamlines the process for approving these nominees without debating each one separately.

Key Provisions

• Permits a motion to proceed directly to en bloc consideration of nominations listed on the Executive Calendar by specific numbers (e.g., Calendar Nos. 615, 616, etc.).
• The nominations include:
• U.S. Attorneys (prosecutors for federal districts in states like Maine, North Carolina, Arkansas, etc.) – 11 nominees.
• U.S. Marshals (federal law enforcement officers for districts) – 8 nominees.
• Ambassadors to countries like Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Philippines, Iceland, New Zealand, Slovenia (some with concurrent roles) – 9 nominees.
• High-level officials such as Assistant Secretaries (State, Defense, Transportation, Commerce), Under Secretaries (Energy, Commerce), and others like Coordinator for Counterterrorism, Directors for international banks, and agency heads (e.g., Bureau of Land Management).
• Board/Commission members (e.g., Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, Federal Maritime Commission, National Transportation Safety Board) – several reappointments and new terms.
• All terms are fixed (e.g., 4 or 5 years).

Significant Changes to Existing Law

• None. This is a procedural resolution that does not amend laws or create new policies. It only adjusts Senate floor procedures for efficiency.

Potential Impacts

• Government agencies: Faster confirmation allows quicker filling of leadership roles in Justice, State, Defense, Energy, Transportation, Commerce, and others, potentially improving operations.
• Citizens: Indirect benefits through prompt appointment of prosecutors (U.S. Attorneys and Marshals) handling federal cases, and diplomats managing foreign relations.
• International relations: Speeds up ambassador postings, aiding U.S. diplomacy in Asia, Europe, and elsewhere.
• No direct fiscal or regulatory effects.

Main Stakeholders

• Nominees: Individuals listed (e.g., Andrew Benson, Eric Meyer), who gain expedited Senate approval.
• President: Facilitates implementation of executive branch appointments.
• Senate: Majority leader (Mr. Thune) and members, who control the calendar.
• Agencies and districts: DOJ districts, embassies, regulatory boards affected by vacancies.
• Public: Residents in served districts and U.S. foreign policy interests.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Procedural efficiency: Common Senate tool to handle nomination backlogs; aligns with constitutional advice-and-consent role (Article II).
• No constitutional challenges; purely internal Senate rule under its standing rules.
• Politically neutral facilitation of confirmations, reducing delays without waiving standard votes or debates post-resolution.

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

• 2026-05-11: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 45. Record Vote Number: 114. (text: CR 4/27/2026 S2056-2057) (Roll call 114)
• 2026-05-11: Passed/agreed to in Senate: Resolution agreed to in Senate without amendment by Yea-Nay Vote. 46 - 45. Record Vote Number: 114. (Roll call 114)
• 2026-05-11: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2193-2194)
• 2026-04-30: By unanimous consent agreement, debate and vote 5/11/2026.
• 2026-04-30: Considered by Senate. (consideration: CR S2148-2149)
• 2026-04-30: Cloture on the measure invoked in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 51 - 46. Record Vote Number: 112. (CR S2148-2149) (Roll call 112)
• 2026-04-30: By unanimous consent agreement, mandatory quorum required under Rule XXII waived.
• 2026-04-28: Cloture motion on the measure presented in Senate. (CR S2065)
• 2026-04-28: Measure laid before Senate by motion. (consideration: CR S2065)
• 2026-04-28: Motion to proceed to executive session to consideration of measure agreed to in Senate by Yea-Nay Vote. 52 - 47. Record Vote Number: 107. (CR S2065) (Roll call 107)
• 2026-04-27: Placed on Senate Executive Calendar under Over, Under the Rule. Calendar No. 5.
• 2026-04-27: Submitted in the Senate. Placed on Senate Executive Calendar under Over, Under the Rule. (text: CR S2056-2057)
• 2026-04-27: Submitted in Senate

Bill Versions

• Authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar. — issued 2026-05-11 — PDF (8 pages)
• Authorizing the en bloc consideration in Executive Session of certain nominations on the Executive Calendar. — issued 2026-04-27 — PDF (10 pages)