Senate confirms Switzer as deputy USTR after limiting filibuster on nominees

The Senate on Thursday confirmed Bryan Switzer as deputy U.S. Trade Representative for Asia, textiles, investment, services and intellectual property after the chamber’s GOP majority changed procedural rules to accelerate approvals of sub-Cabinet executive branch nominees by barring filibusters on “en bloc” confirmations that can cover dozens of officials at once. Switzer, a former longtime State Department official who goes by Rick, was one of 48 nominees that lawmakers grouped together under S. Res. 337 ; the bloc passed the...