Majority Leader John Thune [R-SD] says he’s considering using an extended recess to allow President Trump to bypass the Senate confirmation process for a backlog of nominees. Democrats have done a successful job of holding up confirmations and now the backlog is so severe Republican leaders are considering alternatives. Majority Leader Thune has suggested it may be time for a rules change that would make it harder for the minority party to delay confirmations. A more short term solution would be to rely on the president’s power to make recess appointments. If he chooses that route, Thune would need to get 50 Republican on board, and convince the House to also take an extended recess.