Tom Cotton says he will block White House nominees in Senate until Biden complies with document requests

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) is threatening to block Senate nominees until the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) complies with requests to see its communications with President Joe Biden and others in the administration following the discovery of classified documents in his possession on November 2.

NARA ignored a Tuesday deadline to turn over the requested records to the House Oversight Committee.

Some in the Senate plan to “impose pain on the administration until they provide these documents," Cotton told reporters. "And that is coming from both parties.”

“I’m prepared to refuse to consent or to fast-track any nominee for any department or agency. And take every step I can on every committee on which I serve to impose consequences on the administration until they provide these documents for the Congress to make our own informed judgment about the risk to national security,” Cotton said.

Cotton's actions could drastically slow down the nomination process for any of Biden's nominees and leave the Senate without much time to conduct other business.

“Congress has an absolute right to every single document or item or photo or box or picture or map that was at President Trump’s residence, President Biden’s residence and office, and for that matter, [Vice] President Pence’s residence as well,” Cotton said after a classified briefing Wednesday with Biden officials. “I still have no clue what was in these documents. I’m not aware of any member of Congress that has any clue.”