Blumenthal Statement on Constitutional Option to Ensure Up-Or-Down Vote on Executive Branch Nominees

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) today released the following statement after the Senate met to discuss the Constitutional option to ensure up-or-down votes on Executive Branch nominations:

“I favor reforms to advance action and break the legislative logjam and gridlock that have been so frustrating to the country. Partisan opposition is blocking the President’s ability to choose his team, which is necessary for the government to function and execute laws. Washington isn’t working. The system is broken. The major culprit is arcane, anti-democratic rules that I’ve consistently opposed before and during my service in the Senate. The American people deserve cooperation from their representatives in Washington and a commitment from the U.S Senate to allow bipartisan majorities to act in the national interest. I remain hopeful that compromise is attainable in the hours and days ahead, but I will continue to fight for the President’s nominees to receive the up-or-down vote the country needs."