For months, Democrats couldn't move ahead on a lot of presidential nominations because Republicans wouldn't allow it. Now, thanks to a controversial rules change, those nominations have begun to move.
But why, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell asked Tuesday, is that happening?
The Senate is probably only in session for another 10 days or so.
"And so here we are spending a whole week on nominations, none of which are emergencies, instead of dealing with a defense authorization bill, which has not been open for amendment," the Kentucky Republican told a Capitol news conference.
"We're spending a week on a series of nominations, none of which is an emergency."
He's still miffed at the rules change.
"So I question the way the Senate is being run, not only breaking the rules of the Senate to change the rules of the Senate, but dealing with a whole series of nonessential nominations when we have a defense bill pending," he said. "We may have a budget agreement at some point, we may have a farm bill at some point. With two weeks left before Christmas, my question is why are we doing what we're doing?"