WASHINGTON—The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America announced the launch of a $1 million public education and advocacy campaign Thursday. The campaign advocates for prompt confirmation of President Trump’s Cabinet and educates the American people about the confirmation process.
The campaign will be two-fold. The Foundation will focus on educating the American public on the importance and history of presidential authority on Cabinet appointments. Additionally, Heritage Action will target the home states of key senators who could make or break the confirmation process for President Trump’s highly capable nominees.
Dr. Kevin Roberts, president of The Heritage Foundation and Heritage Action for America, commented on the campaign launch:
"Taking down the deep state isn’t just a priority for President Trump—it’s the mandate the American people gave him. If he succeeds, it will cement his legacy as the president who confronted Washington’s unaccountable bureaucracy and restored power to the people. His Cabinet choices reflect a commitment to this mission, and now is the time for every conservative to quickly unite behind his nominees and get to work saving this great republic.”
Ryan Walker, executive vice president of Heritage Action for America, provided the following statement on today’s launch:
“Under President Trump’s mandate delivered by the American people, Heritage Action and our millions of grassroots conservatives stand ready to support President Trump and his slate of nominees through a swift Senate confirmation process. The new Senate Republican majority must unite to deliver on the promises made to the American people to implement the America First agenda as soon as possible. With the extraordinary growth of the administrative state and political appointments subject to Senate confirmation, we will use all advocacy tools at our disposal to ensure President Trump's Cabinet picks receive timely advice-and-consent consideration in the Senate as envisioned by the founders.”
Steve Bradbury, distinguished fellow at The Heritage Foundation and former general counsel to the U.S. Department of Transportation under President Trump provided the following comment:
“President Trump is right to demand a return to the regular constitutional order for appointments in which the Senate gives his nominees expedited consideration and a prompt confirmation vote. The advice-and-consent function of the Senate is critical to our constitutional system of separated powers, but it should not be used to obstruct the president’s ability to put qualified appointees in place.
“The president is also right to demand an end to the Senate’s dubious practice of using pro forma sessions to prevent recess appointments. Throughout the history of our nation until very recently, presidents have exercised their authority under the Constitution to fill vacancies during recesses of the Senate with temporary appointments. This power is an important check on the Senate’s advice-and-consent function, and President Trump is right to reserve his authority to make use of his recess appointment power if the Senate refuses to give his nominees fair and prompt consideration.”
