Republicans hold a 53-47 majority in the Senate, but Thune has complained that Democrats are using procedural maneuvers to slow the approval of some of Trump's more controversial picks, including former Fox News host Pete Hegseth for defense secretary and vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to head the Department of Health and Human Services.

The tactics are reminiscent of the ones taken the first time Trump entered the White House. At the time, Democrats homed in on eight nominees they would delay, with Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) warning against a “rushed” process.

A key senator says he is standing by Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump’s Secretary of Defense pick, and criticized "anonymous sources" casting doubt on his character.

The Senate Commerce Committee said on Wednesday it would hold a Jan. 29 hearing on President Donald Trump's nominee to lead the Commerce Department, the agency that has become a key U.S. tool in its efforts to constrain China's tech sector.

Negotiations broke down to hold a final vote on Trump's CIA nominee, prompting Senate GOP leadership to tee up procedural steps to advance John Ratcliffe and others.

Pete Hegseth’s former sister-in-law gave an affidavit to the Senate Armed Services Committee accusing him of being “abusive” toward his second ex-wife, according to a copy of the affidavit obtained by CNN.

Senate Finance Committee Chairman Mike Crapo on Wednesday said he is hoping a full Senate confirmation vote for U.S. President Donald Trump's pick as Treasury secretary, Scott Bessent, could occur next week.

There's also about $6.5 billion in additional money for property tax relief on top of what was passed two years ago. That may include what the Senate has proposed, which is an increase in the homestead exemption from $100,000 to $140,000 for most homeowners. For seniors, the exemption would rise from $110,000 to $150,000.

Republicans hoping to thwart Beijing’s influence in Latin America urge the Panamanian government to cut ties with Chinese entities.

Two new senators were sworn in on Tuesday to replace new Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance.

The Senate has confirmed Marco Rubio as secretary of state, giving President Donald Trump the first member of his Cabinet. The vote was unanimous.