Senate confirms 48 sub-cabinet Trump nominees in single vote
The U.S. Senate has confirmed 48 appointees of President Donald Trump, almost entirely made up of ambassador and sub-cabinet positions.
The U.S. Senate has confirmed 48 appointees of President Donald Trump, almost entirely made up of ambassador and sub-cabinet positions. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI UPI Former Donald Trump 2020 presidential campaign advisor Kimberly Guilfoyle, was confirmed as the U.S. ambassador to Greece. File Photo by Samuel Corum/UPI UPI Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich was confirmed as the American ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein. File Photo by Kevin Dietsch/UPI UPI
Sept. 19 (UPI) -- The U.S. Senate confirmed 48 appointees of President Donald Trump, almost entirely made up of ambassador and sub-cabinet positions.
The lone Senate vote unfolded 51-47 mostly along party lines, after a rule change earlier in the month changed the confirmation process.
Earlier this month, Republican lawmakers passed changes allowing nominees to be confirmed through the Senate in a one group rather than individually.
The term is referred to as "en bloc" and only applies to lower roles like ambassadors, not judges or cabinet positions.
Former Trump 2020 presidential campaign advisor Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Callista Gingrich, the wife of former House Speaker Newt Gingrich, were among the most notable nominees confirmed.
Guilfoyle is the U.S. ambassador to Greece, while Gingrich was confirmed as the American ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
Senate Democrats had pushed back against the group confirmation vote. Their Republican colleagues continually accused them of holding up or obstructing the process, with Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., calling the lead-up "a broken process" and "an embarrassment."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., referred to the result as "a sad, regrettable day for the Senate."
The group confirmation comes after Senate Republicans earlier this week confirmed White House economic adviser Stephen Miran to join the Federal Reserve Board.
Mrian's confirmation comes amid vocal concerns about his independence as he will serve in both capacities.
