Senator Warren to Senate Republicans; If you do not like the choice of being shot or taking poison, then “Do Your Job”
A question to Senator Lindsey Graham by “The Daily Show’s” Trevor Noah asking why he endorsed Cruz for the Republican Presidential candidate over Trump. Earlier, Noah ran a clip of Graham stating it was a choice between getting shot or being poisoned and the reasoning for the choice of Cruz was there may be “an antidote.” What a lackluster answer and field of Republican candidates for the Presidency. The last seven years of this administration’s congressional support has been rife with actions by Republicans to obstruct any action by this President. After all of the obstructionism, the electorate has had enough and has chosen some who may not be favored by the establishment.
Senator Elizabeth Warren delivered a message to her fellow Republican Senators as detailed in The Boston Globe, “Do Your Job.” The Senator chastises the Republican members of the Senate for seven years of blocking anything to come before them as sponsored by President Obama (If you can not get into The Boston Globe to read her message, you may want to try Common Dreams.)
“through artificial debt ceiling crises, deliberate government shutdowns, and intentional confirmation blockades, Senate Republicans have acted as though the election and reelection of Obama relieved them of any responsibility to do their jobs. Senate Republicans embraced the idea that government shouldn’t work at all unless it works only for themselves and their friends. The campaigns of Donald Trump and Ted Cruz are the next logical outgrowth of the same attitude — if you can’t get what you want, just ignore the obligations of governing, then divert attention and responsibility by wallowing in a toxic stew of attacks on Muslims, women, Latinos, and each other.”
The most current crisis started in 2013 where the Republican Senate has stalled the process of judicial appointments to the higher courts enough so, it forced the then in majority Democrats to change the rules of filibuster in order to move along 3 appointments to the COA. Do not forget Senator McConnell’s pledge to make Barack Obama a one term president and the meeting after President Obama’s first election by key Republicans to block every move made by the then fledgling President. In 2015, the Republicans gained control of the Senate and judicial appointments have ground to a halt. And the same is occurring with Barack Obama’s appointment of Merrick Garland.
But is Merrick the only one? “Amy Howe at Scotus Blog would say no.
A Summary by Amy Howe:
March 13, 1912, President William Taft (a Republican) nominated Mahlon Pitney to succeed John Marshall Harlan, who died on October 14, 1911.
President Woodrow Wilson (a Democrat) made two nominations during 1916; January 28, 1916 Wilson nominated Louis Brandeis to replace Joseph Rucker Lamar, who died on January 2, 1916; the Democratic-controlled Senate confirmed Brandeis on June 1, 1916 and John Clarke was confirmed 10 days after being nominated on July 14, 1916 after Charles Evans Hughes resigned from the Court to run (unsuccessfully) for president.
On January 4, 1940, President Franklin Roosevelt nominated Frank Murphy to replace Pierce Butler, who died on November 16, 1939.
On November 30, 1987, Republican President Ronald Reagan nominated Justice Anthony Kennedy to fill the vacancy created by the retirement of Lewis Powell and was confirmed by a Democrat controlled Senate.
On September 7, 1956, Sherman Minton announced his intent to retire to President Dwight D. Eisenhower and he served until October 15, 1956. With the Senate already adjourned, Eisenhower made a recess appointment of William J. Brennan to the Court shortly thereafter; Brennan was formally nominated to the Court and confirmed in 1957.
It should not have to be a choice between a bullet or poison; but, the Republicans have spread so much of their conniving obstructionism with the sabotage of anything in Government today, it has left the people in anger, angry at a Congress which does not do the job to which it is elected. They will pick the poison over the gun shot to get things moving again.
It’s in the rule book (constitution) — the Senate and House get to make up their own rules on how to legislate. The whole idea is to make it impossible for the minority to have any say in legislation what-so-ever if if there’s any way to avoid it. Both sides of the isle have agreed to these rules willingly and with full intent.. Maintenance of the status quo is the rule rather than exception — that’s how the constitution’s terms were agreed upon in the first place.
Change the constitution to change the way the federal legislative process works… other wise live with it.
History and precedent don’t matter to this Republican Senate. Their obstructionism will remain in place as long as a Democrat is in the White House. The politicalization of the Supreme Court is now out in the open.
I think I have heard rumblings of the need for the 28th amendment of the constitution. I think it has to do with something like returning the power to the people. But don’t know much about it yet but I’m already for it…
The Republicans have only kept their word about hating any government that doesn’t do what they want it to, like endless Defense spending, or war on the American Society, the War on Drugs/Blacks. This was the Republican plan from the get-go. the Middle Class was the “tool” Republicans used to get us where we are today.
to find anyone surprised only shows a total lack of candor and honesty. that it took 40 years for the lies of the Republicans to be exposed just show how easy the White People were who bought these “Republican” talking points. Now there is horror at Trump. Oh Please! lol
there is schaden freude that the truth is finally being uncovered for various economic and political reasons. Poor people who once were middle class Americans aren’t going away. they can’t afford to live in America anymore. if the Poor/”theTemporarily Inconvenienced Millionaires” had “Hope” maybe the Republicans could sell their lies again. the selling of America was quite profitable to The Rich.
Cry me a river about the Republican “situation”. it’s fun to watch.
Bernard:
Most of us who have been around a while are not surprised by the outcome for the Republicans self destruction. It is and was only a matter of time.