Senate GOP launches 54-day blitz: every nominee, a reconciliation bill and war funding before Democrats take over

Senate Republicans are not going quietly. At the end of a marathon closed-door meeting Tuesday, the conference adopted a resolution to "maximize the 54 days we have with congressional majorities," Fox News Digital reports, pledging to confirm every judicial and executive nominee it approves, pass core Republican priorities and "do everything humanly possible to pass a reconciliation bill before Jan. 3."

"That means extending the calendar here, the number of days we're here, the number of hours we're here, the number of votes we may end up taking," Majority Leader John Thune said after being re-elected as Republican leader. "But we are going to finish this legislative session strong."

The Senate had been scheduled to sit for only about 20 days before the handover. There are 23 judicial nominees and nearly 100 executive branch nominees still waiting, many not yet through committee.

Defense money is a major piece. Schumer and Senate Democrats have made clear they want to use the power of the purse to choke off spending on the Iran war once they take control. Thune said reconciliation could become the vehicle for Pentagon funding if Democrats will not agree to it. "It's going to depend on whether or not they have any of their members who are persuaded that making sure that we have enough munitions and ammo and weaponry to be able to defend the country is a priority," he said.

Budget Committee Chairman Ron Johnson planned to present a reconciliation plan at Wednesday's lunch, and Republicans are considering one more try at a version of the SAVE America Act to fund election-integrity measures for the states. The defense authorization bill, a permitting reform package and government funding were also pushed to the lame duck.