Well, not formally, but as far as confirmation of Presidential nominees is concerned, it might as well be. As the partial government shutdown enters its 3rd full week, the Senate’s block on the re-nomination of democratic Equal Employment Opportunity Commissioner Chai Feldblum is complete with her term expiring after nine years with the agency. President Trump had re-nominated the radical democrat to another term on the EEOC, but a confirmation vote on her reappointment was blocked by Utah republican Senator Mike Lee. In response to Lee blocking a vote on Feldblum, democratic Senators have blocked other confirmation votes on republican appointees. That political standoff also held up the confirmation of republican Daniel Gade to the EEOC, causing Gade to withdraw his name from consideration last month. And EEOC, which now lacks the ability to convene a quorum (only 2 of the 5 commissioner posts are filled), is not alone in the crosshairs. The confirmation of President Trump’s nominee to lead the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Scott Mugno (who was nominated back in late 2017), died on the Senate vine and now he must be re-nominated by the President. If that happens, he’ll still need to be confirmed by the full Senate.
