Senate Democrats are holding up the confirmation of Brian Burch as U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, sparking tensions in Washington just days before the formal installation of Pope Leo XIV.

According to the Christian Post, President Donald Trump’s nominee, Brian Burch, awaits full Senate confirmation as Democratic lawmakers block expedited approval, citing objections to recent foreign policy decisions by the Trump administration.

Trump announced Burch’s nomination in December on Truth Social, calling him a devout Catholic, a father of nine, and a committed leader of the conservative group CatholicVote. Burch has spoken out frequently in politics, often criticizing President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. Last year, his advocacy group launched ads targeting then–Sen. Harris for attending a 2019 LGBT Pride event.

On April 30, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved Burch’s nomination. The Senate then listed it on the Executive Calendar, preparing for a potential confirmation by the full chamber. However, Republicans tried to fast-track the process but stopped on May 13 after Democrats resisted their unanimous consent request.

Dispute Tied to Larger Foreign Policy Disagreement

Sen. Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.., attempted to pass Burch’s nomination “without intervening action or debate.” Speaking in a video on X, formerly Twitter, Schmitt accused Democrats of playing partisan games and hindering key diplomatic appointments. He attributed the delay to what he described as residual anger and resistance toward the Trump administration.

“Democrats are objecting to everything,” Schmitt said. He argued that the refusal to confirm Burch stemmed from “Trump Derangement Syndrome” and described the maneuver as unnecessary obstruction. He also suggested that the sight of Democrats blocking an ambassador’s attendance at a papal installation was unprecedented in American politics.

But Democrats offered a distinctly different explanation. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, admitted to placing a procedural hold on all nominations that emerged from the Foreign Relations Committee. The hold followed the Trump administration’s closure of the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) nearly four months ago.

Senator Schatz Explains Procedural Timing Options

Schatz said the administration unilaterally decided to shutter USAID, violating the Foreign Assistance Act and the Impoundment Control Act. He emphasized that he was not blocking Burch indefinitely but was simply pressing pause in protest. He also maintained that the Senate could still vote through the normal procedural timeline if they treated the nomination as genuinely urgent.

“If this is very important and time-sensitive,” Schatz said, “all we need to do is file a cloture petition, wait a day, and then take the vote.” He added that the Senate was confirming nine other nominees through this process during the same week. He insisted Republicans still had a clear path forward if they chose to pursue it.

Burch himself has not spoken extensively about the delay, though he recently defended his conservative credentials. In a statement to The Christian Post, he responded to critics of his political views and urged a rejection of what he described as intolerance toward religious perspectives in public life.

Nomination Delay Coincides with Papal Installation

The confirmation comes at a pivotal moment for Catholic diplomacy. Pope Leo XIV, formerly Robert Prevost, officially took office earlier in May after being chosen as the Church’s 267th pontiff. His formal installation is scheduled for this coming weekend, drawing global attention to the Vatican.

Having an American ambassador present at the ceremonial events would typically be a diplomatic priority, further elevating interest in Burch's timely confirmation. However, the Senate delay means the ambassador post may remain vacant during the high-profile moment.

Trump praised Burch in his nomination announcement, highlighting Burch’s support during the 2024 election cycle. The former president claimed Burch contributed to what he described as a historically strong showing among Catholic voters and labeled him a faithful representative of both Church and country.

Political Past of Nominee Draws Scrutiny

Burch's political activism continues to draw attention. Under his leadership, CatholicVote ramped up campaigns addressing religious expression, abortion regulation, and what the group refers to as cultural threats to Catholic values. The group’s visibility and messaging have made Burch a polarizing figure in some political circles.

Critics point to Burch’s vocal opposition to Vice President Harris and his group’s ad campaigns as signs that he may not represent the totality of Catholic opinion. Supporters, however, see his background as evidence of commitment to Church teachings and assert that his leadership would strengthen U.S.-Vatican relations.

For now, the Senate remains at an impasse, with neither side showing signs of concession. While the option remains to confirm Burch through typical procedures, political tensions are slowing what is usually a consensus diplomatic appointment.

Awaiting Final Senate Decision

Schmitt reiterated his demand for swift approval in his video, stating that the ongoing delay over “ridiculous things” demonstrated misplaced legislative priorities. He questioned whether political grandstanding had replaced practical governance.

Schatz, however, defended his stance as a necessary check on what he perceives as legal overreach by the Trump administration. He says the abbreviated timeline being demanded for Burch's nomination is unnecessary, as a standard process is already underway for other nominees.

With the pope’s installation fast approaching, whether the Senate will act in time to confirm Burch remains uncertain. What is clear is that the debate over his nomination has come to embody larger disputes over foreign policy authority and the direction of diplomacy under the revived Trump administration.