Chuck Schumer says Dems will 'work' with GOP on Trump cabinet confirmations—but they have to go through Senate confirmation process

Outgoing Senate Majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has said that Democrats are wiling to "work" with Republicans on Donald Trump's cabinet picks but is demanding that the Senate GOP use background checks from the FBI and other Senate vetting procedures for the confirmation process.

Schumer penned a letter to incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), writing that the Democrats "stand ready and willing to work” with the incoming GOP majority to consider Trump's nominees, per the New York Times. “In particular, we commit to working in a bipartisan fashion to process each nominee by reviewing standard F.B.I. background-investigation materials, scheduling hearings and markups in the committees of jurisdiction, and considering nominees on the Senate floor." 

This comes as Trump nominated Patel over the weekend to head the FBI, which drew ire from many left-wing pundits. Patel may be one of Trump’s nominations that the Democrats are wanting to challenge as he has called for heavy cuts to the FBI.  

Schumer's letter continued, "In our system of checks and balances, this Senate plays a vital role in ensuring the president appoints well-qualified public officials that will dutifully serve the American people and honor their oaths to the Constitution. Regardless of party, the Senate has upheld this sacred duty for generations and we should not and must not waver in our constitutional duty." 

The letter did not add any commitment that the Democrats would back nominees appointed by Trump. However, the more conventional picks are likely to pass with bipartisan support, the Times reported. Although Democrats will be in the minority, a 60-vote majority is needed to get nominees from Trump through the process with ease. Simple majority votes in the Senate are also a possibility, but Democrats will have the opportunity to slow down a simple majority vote with the filibuster.  

Additionally, the Times reports that Senate Democrats are eyeing the use of hearings in order to get more Republicans to join them in opposing nominees they do not approve of. The GOP has a 53-47 vote advantage over the Democrats, so only three votes from Republicans have to be peeled off for nominations to get blocked.