Washington, D.C. – Today, Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) spoke on the Senate floor demanding that Donald Trump and John Thune stop undermining independent agencies by blocking and removing legally required bipartisan members. Below are Senator Schumer’s remarks, which can also be viewed here:
Donald Trump has refused to nominate and confirm Democratic commissioners and board members to vacancies at numerous agencies that are required by law to have bipartisan members. It’s outrageous. Every other Republican president has gone along with the fact that there have got to be a number of Democrats on these boards. Every other Democratic president has gone along that there have got to be Republicans. Only Trump has smashed these positive, bipartisan values.
So, today, I joined our Senate Democratic Ranking Members in calling on President Trump and Leader Thune to start following the law and stop refusing to nominate or confirm these commissioners.
Shortly after taking office, Trump launched an unprecedented purge of over a dozen Democratic commissioners and board members across the federal government – officials who uphold election security, protect consumers, keep our roads safe, perform other vital services for America.
Trump removed these officials without a second thought and has either left these crucial positions vacant or filled them with MAGA loyalists committed to serving him rather than serving the American people.
Democrats will continue to call out Republicans for trying to undermine these agencies and the crucial services they provide to Americans every day.
###