Key Senator Backs Trump On Nixing Summer Recess

Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) voiced support for President Donald Trump’s call for the upper chamber to cancel its August recess and confirm more of his nominees.

The Iowa Republican, whose panel has been advancing Trump’s picks for U.S. attorney and judge positions, shared his stance on Sunday. He alluded to how Democrats have been impeding the process with such moves as forcing procedural votes.

“If Pres Trump asks us to not take [an August recess, I’m with] him. Democrats [have] been slow walking nominations,” Grassley said in a post on X written with a lot of short-hand. “We [have] to make up for their wasted time Trump needs his administration in place.”

Earlier this month, after Congress passed the “One Big, Beautiful Bill” and a $9 billion rescissions package, Trump urged Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) to keep the Senate busy cementing his second-term priorities.

“Hopefully the very talented John Thune, fresh off our many victories over the past two weeks and, indeed, 6 months, will cancel August recess (and long weekends!), in order to get my incredible nominees confirmed,” Trump said on Truth Social. “We need them badly!!! DJT.”

Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) proposed a benchmark for lawmakers to reach before going into a recess or, as an alternative, an off-period without pro forma sessions that prevent the president from making appointments in their absence.

“The Senate shouldn’t recess before clearing the 135-nominee confirmation backlog,” Lee said on X. “If the Senate recesses anyway, it should *actually* recess—NO PRO FORMA SESSIONS, as their only purpose is to prevent Trump from making recess appointments.” He added: “The Senate can’t have it both ways.”

Trump seemed to like the proposal.

“Very Important,” the president said on Truth Social, along with a screenshot of Lee’s post. “Republicans must play to win. Clear the 135. So badly needed!”

The Hill reported last week that Thune, who is also overseeing efforts to pass appropriations bills ahead of a potential government shutdown in September, was open to the idea of nixing the August recess.

“We’re thinking about it. We want to get as many [nominations] through the pipeline as we can,” he said, according to the news outlet.

The Senate has already confirmed Trump’s Cabinet secretaries and other nominees over the past six months.

Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) noted on Monday how 107 of Trump’s nominees have been confirmed so far in 2025 compared to the 55 picks confirmed half a year into his first term in 2017.

“After confirming the President’s entire cabinet at record pace, [the Senate GOP] is working [with the White House] to prioritize all remaining confirmations,” Mullin said on X. “Like I’ve said, I’m in it. Let’s get it done.”

The GOP-led House has already begun its August recess.

Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said during a press conference last week that August is “arguably the most important work month on our calendar” because House Republicans would return to their districts to meet voters and promote the “One, Big, Beautiful Bill.”

Meanwhile, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has knocked the House GOP over leaving for what he calls the “Epstein recess” in a supposed bid to dodge the latest controversy rocking Washington, D.C.