Republican Senator Mike Rounds has expressed his belief that senators should have access to the House Ethics report on former Rep. Matt Gaetz as they consider Gaetz's nomination. Rounds emphasized the importance of having the report available to expedite the vetting process and enable the Senate to make informed decisions regarding critical nominees.
Rounds highlighted the Senate's responsibility to thoroughly vet nominees and provide advice and consent. He stressed the significance of having access to all relevant information to ensure the best decision-making possible. Rounds urged for the timely sharing of any beneficial information that could aid in the decision-making process.
Regarding the potential use of recess appointments by President-elect Donald Trump to confirm his picks, Rounds expressed skepticism, stating that it would be challenging for Trump to push through nominations using this method. He suggested that such a strategy would require significant support within the Republican conference and could be influenced by the cooperation of Democrat colleagues.
Rounds characterized the negotiation between Republicans and Democrats as essential for maintaining the nomination process's momentum. He underscored the need for collaboration to address the numerous nominations that will require Senate consideration, emphasizing that cooperation could mitigate the need for contentious tactics.
Additionally, Rounds indicated that he currently has no scheduled plans to meet with Matt Gaetz or Pete Hegseth when Vice President-elect JD Vance is expected to bring them to the Hill for meetings with senators.
