The Wall Street Journal slammed Democrats for abusing Senate rules in an attempt to block political appointees from taking their posts.
The Journal, in an editorial posted Tuesday night, noted the Senate is "sitting on 78 nominees who have already been vetted and passed out of committee but can't get a floor vote."
The newspaper added: "Senate Republicans have been too slow to press the issue, though they are finally working on a way around Minority Leader Chuck Schumer's obstructionism."
The Journal pointed out Sen. James Lankford, R-Okla., is attempting to change a rule that allows 30 hours of debate for every presidential nominee. He wants to reduce the debate on executive-branch nominees, excluding cabinet secretaries, to eight.
Liberals are abusing the current rule and using it even for nominees with broad bipartisan support, the newspaper said.
The Journal cited the example of Richard Grenell, who was nominated to be ambassador to Germany back in September.
"Mr. Grenell has more than enough foreign-policy experience as the longest-serving U.S. spokesman at the United Nations, and even some liberal groups back him as an openly gay conservative," the newspaper pointed out.
An attempt by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to get unanimous consent to take up the nomination failed when Sen. Jeff Merkley, D-Ore., objected, according to the Journal.
"Mr. Merkley has positioned himself as the leader of the anti-Trump resistance with visions of running for President — which proves that some people will believe anything," the newspaper said.
The objection sparked a cloture vote, setting off 30 hours of floor debate. The Journal said Democrats have invoked cloture on more than 50 Trump nominees.
"It's worth adding that Senate Republicans have been far too accepting of this Democratic stall," the Journal said. "They've been griping about it for a year to little effect. If Democrats want to insist on 30 hours of debate, then make them stay in Washington on Mondays, Fridays and even weekends to clear the nomination list. And make them work over recess too."
It said Democrats up for re-election will "suffer more from staying in Washington."
"Our guess is that Mr. Schumer will soon come around to agreeing to the eight-hour compromise," the newspaper said.
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