The Senate Judiciary Committee was set to vote on Kash Patel’s nomination to lead the Federal Bureau of Investigation, but Democrats opted to hold off on a final decision for one week.
Patel’s confirmation was initially expected to move forward Thursday, only to be delayed when a Democratic member of the committee requested the action. Under panel rules, a one-time hold on a nominee’s vote is allowed at the request of any senator.
The deferral mirrors what happened with Attorney General Pam Bondi’s nomination last month, when Democrats took the same step to push back a committee vote.
Despite this temporary setback, Republican lawmakers remain confident Patel will ultimately earn the necessary support. He is now expected to receive a committee vote next Thursday, which could result in his swift advancement to the full Senate.
Patel’s delay comes as Republicans continue their recent surge of confirmations for President Trump’s picks.
In less than three weeks, the Senate has approved 12 nominees, with additional names moving through the process.
Tulsi Gabbard, tapped by the president for national intelligence director, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., chosen as the next secretary of Health and Human Services, are among the figures Republicans plan to consider in the coming weeks.
That momentum is further illustrated by the expected confirmation of Russell Vought as head of the Office of Management and Budget.
Vought’s vote may occur as soon as Thursday night, highlighting the pace at which the president’s choices are receiving approval compared to previous administrations. Despite the week-long delay in committee, Patel remains in a strong position for ultimate confirmation by the Republican-led Senate.