Democratic Senator to Block Trump Nominees over USAID Shutdown

Tuesday, February 04, 2025

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz said on Monday he would block Senate votes on President Donald Trump's nominees for diplomatic positions in protest over moves to close the U.S. Agency for International Development and fold it into the State Department.

Posted by qcp at 12:32 PM | 40 COMMENTS | permalink

BREAKING: Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz says he'll place a "blanket hold" on all of Trump's State Department nominees until USAID is back up and running again.

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-- Jon Cooper (@joncooper-us.bsky.social) February 3, 2025 at 12:49 PM

Comments

Let's s see how well that goes over with the public.

#1 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-03 04:28 PM

Let's ask all the military promotees that were held up by one senator.

#2 | Posted by mattm at 2025-02-03 04:46 PM

We need more of these guys who are more concerned about what's happening than what might happen if they act.

#3 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-03 04:47 PM

It's his prerogative. DC is a very --- for tat town. What goes around comes around.

In this case it's misguided. Congress still appropriates foreign aid. It will now be disbursed by the State department instead of this agency that was created by EO.

#4 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-03 04:50 PM

this agency that was created by EO.

#4 | Posted by BellRinger

If this is your argument; if USAID has no authority, then neither should DOGE. As Republicans are in charge, USAID could be eliminated or transferred to State by a simple vote of Congress, instead of illegally by Musk and his henchmen. This is a blatant case of Trump attempting to push the envelope of executive power.

#5 | Posted by Whatsleft at 2025-02-04 01:16 PM

It's his prerogative. DC is a very --- for tat town. What goes around comes around.

In this case it's misguided. Congress still appropriates foreign aid. It will now be disbursed by the State department instead of this agency that was created by EO.

#4 | Posted by BellRinger at 2025-02-03 04:50 PM | Reply

You ignorant buffoon. U SAID came out of the Foreign Assistance Act. It was established by executive order so that the agency would be an independent body.

#6 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-04 01:29 PM

Let's s see how well that goes over with the public.

#1 | Posted by BellRinger

The hell does the public have to do with anything?

Tuberville blocked nominees for months in an effort to force his religion on everyone.

#7 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-02-04 01:33 PM

" Let's s see how well that goes over with the public."

Probably about as well as Tuberville's actions.

#8 | Posted by Doc_Sarvis at 2025-02-04 02:07 PM

OMG!!!
The beginnings of the appearance of a spine!
Let's see how long it lasts before Schumer tells him to quit.

#9 | Posted by morris at 2025-02-04 02:30 PM

The hell does the public have to do with anything?

Well in this particular case the public is learning USAID is a money laundering scheme.

Are these senators willing to defend money laundering of tax payer dollars?

If USAID has no authority, then neither should DOGE
- speak without knowledge.

USAID has authority via EO, Congress has no grant oversight.

DOGE unfortunately was created by Obama to look at government digital systems, it has a lot of authority.

Crazy.

#10 | Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-04 02:51 PM

The hell does the public have to do with anything?

Well in this particular case the public is learning USAID is a money laundering scheme.

#10 | Posted by oneironaut

Someone tell this sucker about DJT and trump crypto.

Trump 101 - accuse your enemy of your own crimes.

#11 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-02-04 02:54 PM

1Nut is all in on Herr Musk and Peter Theil running the country to favor themselves and other Oligarchs. Because he expects to be one himself any day now....ahhahaha!

#12 | Posted by Corky at 2025-02-04 02:59 PM

DOGE unfortunately was created by Obama to look at government digital systems, it has a lot of authority.

Crazy.

Posted by oneironaut at 2025-02-04 02:51 PM | Reply

You lie a lot don't you. DOGE was created by Trump January 20 2025.

#13 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-04 03:17 PM

I'm loving all of this winning!

#14 | Posted by Bluewaffles at 2025-02-04 04:06 PM

I'm loving all of this trolling!
#14 | POSTED BY BLUEWAFFLES

Clearly.

#15 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 04:12 PM

USAID helped end apartheid South Africa.

Elon Musk's actions are purely for revenge.

#16 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 04:13 PM

DOGE unfortunately was created by Obama
#10 | POSTED BY ONEIRONAUT

This is why it's impossible and therefore pointless to discuss anything with Trump supporters.

Just ask BullBringer about Obama's 3rd term and how Biden flew in 100,000 illegal immigrants.

This is how democracy dies.

#17 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 04:17 PM

This is why it's impossible and therefore pointless to discuss anything with Trump supporters.

Just ask BullBringer about Obama's 3rd term and how Biden flew in 100,000 illegal immigrants.

This is how democracy dies.

Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 04:17 PM | Reply

Ain't that the truth?? They don't want honesty anymore. They love being lied to by their Daddy Trump. It's a total disgrace it really is.

#18 | Posted by LauraMohr at 2025-02-04 04:21 PM

It's astonishing to read the stupid shht they post.

#19 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 04:23 PM

Because Congress established USAID as an independent establishment (defined in 5 U.S.C. 104) within the executive branch, the President does not have the authority to abolish it; congressional authorization would be required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID.

crsreports.congress.gov

#20 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-04 09:32 PM

this agency that was created by EO.

#4 | Posted by BellRinger

No it wasn't.

See #20

Guess we'll see after it goes to court. Like all the other BS Trumpy is spreading.

#21 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-04 09:36 PM

@#20 ... Because Congress established USAID as an independent establishment (defined in 5 U.S.C. 104) within the executive branch, the President does not have the authority to abolish it; congressional authorization would be required to abolish, move, or consolidate USAID. ...

Well, yeah.

But do laws passed by Congress matter to Pres Trump?

At this point, my view is ...

Pres Trump views the Executive Branch of government ast him, personally. He does not seem to view the Executive branch as one of the three branches of the Government that executes the laws passed by the Legislative Branch.

He seems to view the Executive Branch as the dictator of government that does what it wants to do, regardless of the laws passed by the Legislative branch.

#22 | Posted by LampLighter at 2025-02-04 09:41 PM

"But do laws passed by Congress matter to Pres Trump?"

It does not matter whether Trumpy cares about laws passed by Congress.

It matters whether Congress cares about laws passed by Congress.

If Congress wishes to hand its balls to Trumpy and Elmo on a platter then the only thing we can do is tie them up in the courts and then start voting them out in two years.

But that is entirely up to the American people. And we a see how much they really care about our supposedly 3 co-equal branches of government.

#23 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-04 09:52 PM

I do t know how to make this clearer.

Two years from now will be waaaaayyyyyy too late

#24 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-04 09:54 PM

It matters whether Congress cares about laws passed by Congress.

Congress is controlled by republicans.

Both houses.

So no.

Congress doesn't care what Trump does.

They've all pledged loyalty to him.

And it really seems like they fear Musk.

#25 | Posted by ClownShack at 2025-02-04 09:55 PM

Democratic Senator to Block Trump Nominees over USAID Shutdown

Finally, somebody is standing up and doing something! Just as Trump is trying to "flood the zone" with his actions, dems need to "flood the zone" with their responses. Now that there is DNC chair, maybe some coordinated action will take place.

#26 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-02-05 06:06 AM

#26 Continuation

"We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender".

Winston Churchill

#27 | Posted by FedUpWithPols at 2025-02-05 11:52 AM

only one question needs to be asked of Brian Schatz

how much ?

how much are you getting ?

AND will he lie like bernie did the other day when JR said bernie took millions from big pharm

and the lying SACK said he didn't take any money....it was "contributions"...

anyone who doesn't want an honest accounting of this slush fund IS A CROOK.

#28 | Posted by shrimptacodan at 2025-02-05 01:03 PM

anyone who doesn't want an honest accounting of this slush fund IS A CROOK.

#28 | Posted by shrimptacodan

Are you talking about the trump crypto coin?

#29 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-02-05 01:15 PM

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz is pissed because him and his fellow Dems are not going to receive their kickbacks

#30 | Posted by Maverick at 2025-02-05 06:39 PM

Maverick you're a ------- moron

#31 | Posted by truthhurts at 2025-02-05 06:47 PM

truthhurts.......

funny how you resort to name calling so quickly

anyway, Elon found Billions of Tax Payer waste and you guys are mad at him instead of being made at the ones that wasted it

why? we know why

truthhurts, I check in to this site every once and awhile and you are ALWAYS on here! do must live in the basement of your mom's house. get a life

#32 | Posted by Maverick at 2025-02-06 11:23 AM

"Elon found Billions of TaxPayer waste"

The richest guy in the world cut off aid to the poorest people in the world. Without legal rights to do so.

If this was President Harris and George Soros, your head would be exploding.

#33 | Posted by Danforth at 2025-02-06 11:25 AM

You all better listen up.
twitter.com

#34 | Posted by fortfisher at 2025-02-06 11:33 AM

The rancid------------- didn't have a problem with USAID when Sweatshop Barbie had her filthy paws out.

www.newsweek.com

#35 | Posted by reinheitsgebot at 2025-02-06 11:49 AM

You all better listen up.

To some idiot on X?

#36 | Posted by jpw at 2025-02-06 12:01 PM

U.S. Senator Brian Schatz is pissed because him and his fellow Dems are not going to receive their kickbacks

#30 | Posted by Maverick

Tell me you're a stupid, gullible dumbf*&^ without telling me you're a stupid, gullible dumbf*&^.

#37 | Posted by jpw at 2025-02-06 12:02 PM

"Democratic Senator to Block Trump Nominees over USAID Shutdown"

Finally, somebody is standing up and doing something! Just as Trump is trying to "flood the zone" with his actions, dems need to "flood the zone" with their responses.

It's gonna take a whole lot more than one lone senator to stand up to these traitorous bullies.

#38 | Posted by donnerboy at 2025-02-06 12:15 PM

anyway, Elon found Billions of Tax Payer waste

#32 | Posted by Maverick

Because he said so? YOu're taking the word of the guy who said we'd be on mars next year?

#39 | Posted by SpeakSoftly at 2025-02-06 01:09 PM

To be fair Elon was taking tons of ketamine when he said that.

LOL

#40 | Posted by Alexandrite at 2025-02-06 01:16 PM

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