The Republican Majority in Congress Just Used the 'Nuclear Option' to Make Herschel Walker an Ambassador

"I am sure you will be relieved to know that our country's interests in the Bahamas now will be in the capable hands of ... wait, I have it here somewhere ... oh, yes ... Herschel Walker. That's right, the former Heisman Trophy-winning running back from Georgia and pal of the current prez who made a bid for the U.S. Senate as a Republican in 2022 only to lose amid accusations from two different women that he had pressured them into getting abortions, and who dazzled voters with his meditation on whether it's better to be a vampire or a werewolf."

"What the Republican majority did was activate what had become known, cutely, as the "nuclear option," changing the rules so that nominees can be confirmed with 51 votes instead of the customary 60, which defangs the filibuster, Then it confirmed the carload of nominees en masse."

"We now have an ambassador in Nassau for the first time in fifteen years, during which China has made serious nice with the Bahamian government. From Reuters: Beijing has invested in major Bahamian tourism hubs, a transshipment port, its national stadium and recently agreed to fund a new hospital in Nassau through a loan from the Chinese Export-Import Bank. Chinese officials in the Bahamas have denied seeking influence, calling China "a trustworthy friend and long-term cooperating partner.""

Herschel Walker was confirmed as U.S. ambassador to the Bahamas following a Senate rule change that lowered the confirmation threshold from 60 to 51 votes, enabling mass confirmations. Walker is a former Heisman Trophy winner who lost a 2022 Senate race amid accusations he pressured women into abortions and made controversial remarks during the campaign. The United States had not had an ambassador in Nassau for fifteen years while China increased investments in Bahamian tourism hubs, a transshipment port, the national stadium, and funding for a hospital through the Chinese Export-Import Bank. Chinese officials deny seeking influence. Political scientist Norm Ornstein publicly criticized the maneuver.

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