Judges and cabinet secretaries would not be included.

Thune’s plan relies on the Senate’s rules of debate and the chamber’s unique procedures. On Tuesday night, he introduced a resolution to accelerate the approval of about 40 nominees grouped together. By rule, the Senate must first vote on whether to break a filibuster on that resolution. That procedural vote requires 60 yeas.

Democrats are expected to block it, leaving the tally short of the threshold. But a failed vote is precisely what Thune is aiming for.

Under Senate rules, only a senator who voted on the winning side of a roll call can request that the chamber reconsider the vote. After the filibuster vote fails, Thune will likely switch his own vote from yes to no, putting himself on the prevailing side. That procedural move allows him to call for a revote.

Because Senate debate is