Thune says Senate will change the rules to push through Trump's blocked nominees

WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Majority Leader John Thune says Republicans are ready to change the chamber’s rules to allow quick confirmations of dozens of President Donald Trump’s executive branch nominees and will move to speed up votes after months of Democratic delays.

Opening the Senate on Monday, Thune said Democrats' obstruction is “unsustainable.” He said Republicans will begin action this week to allow votes on groups of lower-level executive branch nominees if a majority of the Senate agrees. Currently, one senator’s objection can force days of votes on a single nominee.

If the Democratic delays continue, Thune said, “there is no practical way that we could come close to filling all the vacancies in the four years of this administration no matter how many hours the Senate works.”

C