1. United States
2. Ariz.
3. Letter

The Senate confirmation process and FBI background checks for presidential nominees are essential safeguards to ensure the federal government operates with integrity and serves the national interest. Nominees who pass through without thorough vetting could potentially compromise national security or abuse their authority. While most nominees do not have significant issues in their backgrounds, a small number may have concerning histories that the public and lawmakers deserve to know about before confirming them to powerful positions overseeing law enforcement, civil rights, and the administration of justice. FBI background checks have long been a nonpartisan requirement respected by Senate leadership from both parties precisely because the roles being filled have profound impacts on all Americans. Any attempt to bypass this crucial vetting process, whether through recess appointments or other means, would undermine core principles of government accountability and transparency. The Senate must stand firm in insisting that all presidential nominees receive full FBI background checks and that any disqualifying information surfaced is carefully reviewed before votes are cast. The nation's security and faith in its public institutions are at stake.