WASHINGTON, USA — Brian Schatz, a US Senator and Democrat from Hawaii, announced Monday, February 3, 2025, that he is placing a blanket hold on President Donald Trump’s State Department nominees.
This move effectively slows the administration’s efforts to fill key diplomatic positions.
Schatz, a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said his decision was in direct response to Elon Musk’s announcement that he and Trump were moving to shut down the U.S. Agency for International Development, USAID.
“Dismantling USAID is illegal and makes us less safe. USAID was created by federal law and is funded by Congress. Donald Trump and Elon Musk can’t just wish it away with a stroke of a pen — they need to pass a law,” Schatz said in a statement.
“Until and unless this brazenly authoritarian action is reversed and USAID is functional again, I will be placing a blanket hold on all of the Trump administration’s State Department nominees,” he continued.
“This is self-inflicted chaos of epic proportions that will have dangerous consequences all around the world.”
Impact of the Hold on State Department Nominations
A hold is a procedural tactic that prevents a speedy Senate vote on a nominee, requiring Republicans to go through extra steps and consume valuable floor time to confirm them.
While Republicans hold a 53-seat majority and can confirm nominees without Democratic support, the hold could slow down confirmations and delay other legislative priorities.
The Trump administration has yet to formally nominate candidates for many vacant ambassadorships and assistant secretary positions.
However, several key State Department nominees are already awaiting confirmation, including, Elise Stefanik as U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Christopher Landau for Deputy Secretary of State, Michael Rigas for Deputy Secretary of State for Management, and Adam Boehler for Special Envoy for Hostage Affairs
Many of these positions are currently held by acting officials, who do not have the same level of authority as a Senate-confirmed appointee.
According to the American Foreign Service Union, nearly 100 ambassadorships remain vacant and awaiting nominations.
Rubio Named Acting Head of USAID
As the controversy over USAID’s future unfolds, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Monday that he has been named acting administrator of USAID.
While Rubio was confirmed unanimously by the Senate, many senior leadership roles at the agency still require confirmation, positions that could now be delayed by Schatz’s hold.
Democrats Condemn USAID Shutdown as ‘Illegal’
On Monday, Democratic lawmakers gathered outside USAID’s headquarters in Washington to denounce Trump’s attempt to dismantle the agency.
“We will use every power that we have at our disposal in the U.S. Senate. My colleagues will do the same thing in the House. This is a constitutional crisis that we are in today,” Sen. Chris Murphy of Connecticut said.
Murphy directly criticized Musk’s involvement, accusing him of acting in self-interest due to his business dealings with China.
“Let’s not pull any punches about why this is happening. Elon Musk makes billions of dollars off of his business with China. And China is cheering at this action today. There is no question that the billionaire class trying to take over our government right now is doing it based on self-interest,” Murphy said.
Historical Precedent for Senate Holds
Republicans used similar procedural holds to delay nominations under former President Joe Biden.
In 2023, Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama blocked over 400 military promotions for 10 months in protest of the Department of Defense’s abortion policy.
In 2021, Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri placed a hold on State Department and Department of Defense civilian nominees, citing the Biden administration’s handling of the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan.
Senate Republicans held up judicial nominations in 2024 in response to legal cases against Trump.
What’s Next?
Schatz’s move adds to the ongoing political fight over USAID’s future.
With Senate Democrats mobilizing against the administration’s efforts to dismantle the agency, the confirmation of key diplomatic nominees could now face significant delays.
As Trump and Musk move forward with plans to restructure or eliminate USAID, the Senate’s response could shape the future of U.S. foreign assistance policy and international relations.
