U.S. Senator James Lankford is on board with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell’s decision to stay in session during August to pass appropriations bills and try to get a few more presidential appointees through the nomination process. August is traditionally a “work month” for Senators to return to their home states.
McConnell made the decision public on Tuesday.
“Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the president’s nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled. Senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the president’s nominees,” said McConnell upon announcing his decision to work in August.
Back in May, Lankford and 15 other Senators sent a letter to McConnell asking for floor consideration of funding bills even if the Senate had to work nights, weekends and through the August state work period.
“I appreciate Leader McConnell hearing our call to keep the Senate in session and continue our work to confirm pending executive branch and judicial nominees and to complete the appropriations process before the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2018,” said Lankford. “Our work has been delayed, but it should continue through August until it gets done. We must get the President’s nominations caught up and we must complete the appropriations process on time to avoid another omnibus disaster.”
