"Republicans dont have the quorum needed to move forward...." BWAHAHAHAHAHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!

[Miles Archer]

Senate Democrats Boycott Key Votes On 2 Top Trump Nominees
Republicans don’t have the quorum needed to move forward.
01/31/2017 10:44 am ET | Updated 32 minutes ago

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/senate-democrats-boycott_us_5890ae26e4b0c90eff001c3c?

WASHINGTON ― Senate Democrats deployed a dramatic eleventh-hour maneuver to deny committee votes to two of President Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks Tuesday, arguing that those nominees had lied to them.

Senators on the Finance Committee were set to vote on Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) to lead the Department of Health and Human Services and Steve Mnuchin to lead the Treasury Department. But on Tuesday morning, they simply didn’t show up for the votes, denying Republicans the quorum they needed to move forward toward confirmation. At least one Democrat needs to be present for the vote to happen.

Explaining the boycott, Finance Committee ranking member Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said the two nominees “misled the public and held back important information about their backgrounds.”

With their plans to quickly confirm Trump’s nominees upended, Senate Republicans were outraged, suggesting even that they’d consider changing committee rules to eliminate the need for a minority member to be present.

[CincyDem]

1. Make 'em change the rules.

there is no point to sitting out if they're just going to go in a few days later and say "well...we were just kidding".

let them go nuclear, it's not like the outcome is going to change. It's just whose names will be on the collaborators list.

[Miles Archer]

3. The Democrats need to walk away from this clean.

Last edited Tue Jan 31, 2017, 04:05 PM - Edit history (2)

I agree with you...the Republicans will do whatever they can get away with doing, and they will own it.

I just want to see a 100% absence of Democratic "enablers."

This is "stand your ground" time. This is what should happen for the next four years, especially when it comes to gutting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid.

[ProudProgressiveNow]

13. +1 nt

[calimary]

36. Make sure you're calling in - to reinforce their backbones!

TOLL FREE Capitol Hill switchboard numbers conveniently located in my sig line below.

[JudyM]

56. I've been raising the importance of these calls with everyone, including casual conversations at

the local sandwich shop. People are super engaged. I've never seen such community-wide cohesion about anything, ever. In a backward way, this coup is galvanizing our society far more than it's dividing it. It's just showing the fault lines that have always been there.

[calimary]

57. And don't forget the Indivisible Guide.

https://www.indivisibleguide.com

At the March in downtown L.A., I think I must have had at least four conversations with other marchers in which I brought up the Indivisible Guide, and they had not heard of it. When I did, they were quite interested.

And I'd repeat it. "'The Indivisible Guide.' You know, like 'one nation, indivisible, with liberty and' blah-blah-blah (followed by a chuckle)." Try to repeat the name. That's why I throw in a reference to something familiar that's easy to remember, in and of itself. Associating it with something familiar makes it easier to remember.

[JudyM]

58. Good idea, I will add that in, too!

[cilla4progress]

74. You state it

Last edited Thu Feb 2, 2017, 08:30 AM - Edit history (1)

Perfectly! Not to be a pollyanna, but here's a silver lining!

I wake up many mornings, grab my phone, and call my reps to cajole or thank!

[JudyM]

85. Thank you. All we have is each other now. And we all know it.

[Alice11111]

87. Where are you located? I'm in London now, but keep

telling people to call. I've done the same, but now from here I'm writing. Calling is much better

[cilla4progress]

75. Not seeing the number?

But I have it on my devices... thanks!

[red dog 1]

37. + 1

[yodermon]

6. you are correct, but i will not hold my breath.n/t

[Nay]

34. Exactly. No more collaborating. It does no good. And you look like a sellout

every time even if you do have some kind of long game. At this juncture, no Democrat can afford to look like a sellout EVER. The base is really riled up.

[wordpix]

77. they did change the rules and Mnuchin, Price got thru committee

with only R's present

[Hekate]

2. KnR

[Achilleaze]

4. Please, IKGOPR*, spare Americans your incessant, unjustified whining, gnashing of teeth BS

This is right out of your own rotten playbook of the last 8 years.

[The Velveteen Ocelot]

5. Fuck 'em.

After Obama was elected in '08 the GOPers vowed to oppose and obstruct everything he did.

Karma's a mo'fo', isn't it?

[Miles Archer]

9. It gave Orrin Hatch a case of the vapors (same link as my OP)

“This is one of the most alarming things I’ve seen in my 40 years in the U.S. Senate,” Finance Committee Chair Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said in the hearing Tuesday. “There isn’t a fellow on the other side I do not care for. Normally they’re very honorable and decent people. That’s why it’s so shocking to me that they’re not here when we’ve given them every opportunity to be here. ... That’s not only ridiculous, it’s offensive.”

“I think they ought to stop posturing and acting like idiots,” he added. “Stop holding news conferences and come here and express yourself here and vote one way or the other.”

[muntrv]

14. 2 words Orrin: Merrick Garland.

[GoCubsGo]

22. And, Tom Daschle, Bill Richardson, Van Jones,

Desiree Rogers, and dozens of judicial and other nominees.

[louis-t]

29. Every time I see Daschle's name

I think of fucking Newt Gingrich and the way he insisted repug assholes say "obstructionist Daschle" every time they mentioned him.

[wordpix]

78. lest we never forget

unfortunately, R's hold more cards than D's did at the time

[Raster]

27. And two more words Orrin: hypocritical piece of shit...

...oh wait, that's four. The sentiment is still the same. I believe Hatch plans on retiring after this term is up. I also believe that insufferable little chickenshit Chaffetz has his eye on the seat. I am *ALMOST* tempted to move to Utah just so I can vote AGAINST the insufferable little chickenshit.

[gopiscrap]

28. No, Oran Hatch 2 words:

FUCK YOURSELF!!!!

[calimary]

48. You should see the Orrin Hatch twitter page!

Link to tweet

Post after post after post after post following his whiny sniveling about how Democrats are so unfair!!! Post after post after post after post says "Merrick Garland"!

It's a truly fun and energizing read!

[Tatiana]

60. Wow! That was truly cathartic! n/t

[uponit7771]

68. +1

[3catwoman3]

16. Fuck you, Orrin.

Your poutrage is sooooooooooooooo disingenuous.

[Blaukraut]

26. Yea, Orrin. They WERE honorable and decent, and you lot took advantage of that for 8 years.

[Old Vet]

10. They didnt VOW to obstruct Obama, They did. And treated Obama shamelessly

Yeah, FUCK EM.

[narnian60]

20. +100

[ailsagirl]

32. +10000000000000000

[Alice11111]

65. Yep. Fuck em

For me it's not just pay back. These nominees will continue to destroy country, for years to come.
Pay back is just collateral benefit.

[TrekLuver]

7. You are so behind these awful picks then go ahead back it up and change the rules. #AllOnYou

[wordpix]

79. they changed the rules---Price & Mnuchin approved without D's present

[haele]

8. Wish they would have done that with DeVos.

Guess they didn't think the DoE was as important as HHS and Treasury, or that her shortcomings weren't as venally corrupt as theirs were.

Haele

[narnian60]

21. +100

[Alice11111]

66. In london flat &news deprived. OMG, was she confirmed?

Have no TV, and w partners family, so missed that.
She and Oklahoma earthquake advocate were among the worst.

[Jersey Devil]

11. Do not go quietly into that good night

Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

[AgadorSparticus]

12. Theyneed to be careful doing that. What is good for the goose is good for the gander.

[Alice11111]

61. Like they good have been worse. Totally unethical, often illegal,

corrupt to the core. It's not tit for tat. These people need to be opposed because they will destroy the country. The fact that they get some of their own medicine is just a collateral benefit.
Let them drown in their bile.

[fescuerescue]

15. Would it be possible and workable for Dems to do this the entire session?

i.e. Just not show up the whole 2 years?

This would pretty much block any action out of Congress.

"I'see you your Merrick Garland, and raise you Congress!"

This would force Trump to do everything via executive order.

[red dog 1]

39. Nope!

(From the OP)
"Senate Republicans were outraged, suggesting even that they'd consider changing committee rules to eliminate the need for a minority member to be present."

[pansypoo53219]

17. its called calvin ball. or CHEATING.

[Augiedog]

18. Oohhhh, outraged they are, were, ....whatever

[DK504]

19. Well since none of theses SOB's

have bothered to fill out any of the mandatory paperwork for their positions nor have been vetted by the FBI.

Seems Comey is watching cat videos again.

[TrollBuster9090]

23. Quorum! What the Sam Hill is a QUORUM!?

[BlueJac]

24. Finally showing some guts for a change...

now keep it up, we are in a dog fight now for the REPUBLIC.

[Generic Brad]

54. We've already lost the Republic

But at least we go down fighting for truth, justice, and the American way.

[Alice11111]

62. !!!

[Sarabi]

25. More than one way to get the job done

Where there is a will, there is a way... way to go!

[wryter2000]

30. Awesome

Those two are the worst of the worst.

[DonCoquixote]

31. Oriin, I might try to take you seriously

If youn called your party out for violating the Hatch act with Mr. Comey.

[red dog 1]

40. + 1 million!

Make that a billion!

[raging moderate]

71. GOP violated the Constitution with Merrick Garland.

The President "SHALL" appoint...with the advice and consent...of the Senate. "Shall" adds an imperative tone in this context. And the Republicans advised us that they had nothing against Merrick Garland.

[toddwv]

33. HOW DARE THE DEMOCRATS NOT ALLOW A VOTE ON A NOMINEE!!!! THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!!!!

Just another case of Republicans setting the precedent and then complaining when it is used against them.

Here's hoping for 4 years of shutting down nominees.

[Alice11111]

63. If we can get the Senate back, it could be only 2 years

If the Republicans could obstruct for 8, surely the Dems can do 2.
Keep the pressure on their phones. Otherwise, they will let up.
We also need to target Ryan and turtleman, chavetz in elections. Repubs are already targeting Warren. They are so much better at laying the ground work with fake News, etc. We must get better

[toddwv]

82. I honestly think that one of the houses will switch hands.

Can't be certain in uncertain times but the honeymoon is already over.

I would prefer the Senate, but think it's a loftier goal since Democrats have 33 seats up for reelection to the 8 that is likely for the Republicans. Still any gain should be welcomed...

[Alice11111]

86. Obstruct! Delay! Obstruct! ALL FED COURT Appts for 2 years

or we will be stuck with these RW decisions for 40 years.
The Republicans have done that 8 years!!!
We have to do it as much as possible. Sen Udall released a good statement today.
I called my Senators and told them I expected more than a vote. I wanted them to fight like hell until their last dying breath.
We will lose some, even if we fight. We will lose ALL if we continue to let the Republicans run right over us like they did often to Obama or any other Democrats.
They don't care about the law, ethics,or any of the religious bs they preach. They just want to steamroller their agenda and bring in the bucks from lobbiests.

That's what Trump's simmering smug smile says, fuck you, dems, I'm doing it! Unfortunately, he is. Let's not make it easy for him.

[ffr]

35. Get thee to the Greatest thread!

This is how we do it.

Grassroots support for democracy, aka Democrats and them knowing we have their backs.

Fight fire with fire.

[404usernamenotfound]

38. Sloth like movement...

...but they are slowly slowly slowly inching away from him. Once something YUUUGEEEE comes out, they will scatter like roaches and he is toast.

[red dog 1]

42. Welcome to DU!

However, in my opinion, your statement "but they are slowly slowly inching away from him" is not the case....(I wish it were true).

The only GOP senators who have even REMOTELY expressed any willingness to stand up to Trump are John McCain, Susan Collins, and Lindsey Graham...and even they are not likely to vote against any of Trump's cabinet picks.

[404usernamenotfound]

46. thanks for the welcome

But I am optimistic that hour-by-hour more and more of them are waiting on him to step on his own dick and then nail him. No one wants to be the leader in this as they are worried about re-election. In their minds, if Trump is "right" (pun intended, I think...) they will alienate their base.

Part of me wants Trump to do something absolutely way way way right and so fucking wacky so that some of these middle GOP folks finally have enough and turn on him. Unfortunately that way way way right and so fucking wacky thing may doom us all...

[red dog 1]

50. The trouble is that there are so few "middle GOP folks" in either the Senate or the House.

We all need to remember who we're dealing with here.

A U.S. Senate with virtually no "moderates" left..(unless you consider Susan Collins a moderate)
and a U.S. House of Representatives with maybe a small handful of "moderates" (fewer than 10)

Also, the number 3 man in the United States Government, House Speaker Eddie Munster, is a guy who wants to privatize Social Security & Medicare.

Also, the number 4 man in the US Govt. is Mitch "Turtle" McConnell...who has proven for the past several years that ANY compromise with Senate Democrats is "out of the question."

[Alice11111]

64. Whoever thought that Lindsey Graham would be Repub moderate

He hasn't changed. The Repubs are just crazy extreme RW, and get worse and worse.

[lindysalsagal]

41. Cojones, anyone????

'Bout TIME!!!

[ffr]

43. Because they're seeing us in the streets; we've got their backs.

Senator Tim Kaine: Public Outcry Will Help Democrats Do Their Jobs Better - Morning Joe MSNBC
http://www.democraticunderground.com/1017421914

Thx LongTomH

[Alice11111]

67. ...

[red dog 1]

44. Way to go Dems!

I just wish this type of action could actually result in a BLOCK of a Trump nominee, instead of merely postponing the inevitable confirmations of all Trump cabinet nominees.

K&R

[spanone]

45. K&R...

[mountain grammy]

47. Fuck the GOP, Dems should be doing this in every committee

and voting no on every single one of batshit's nominees.

Kirsten Gillibrand. The only Democratic Senator with the guts to do it..

[Stellar]

49. hear, hear!!!

[BlueWI]

51. It's about time that Senate Dems found their spines.

Don't lose them again!!!

[nikibatts]

52. Play to win! About time we did it. GOP deserves nothing less after their obstructionism over the

last 8 years.

[wildeyed]

53. Everyday we drag this out is a day we win.

Resist and slow the process. Everyday his popularity erodes a tiny bit, the jobs do not materialize, we get a day closer to midterms and a day closer to impeachment.

Plus it give voters a chance to catch up on WTF is going on. They will notice that the national parks are being sold at a discount to campaign supporters while they are creating diversions with immigration, etc.

[Rex]

55. .

[BlancheSplanchnik]

59. wow. Lowlife people, all of them.

*Tsk*...... wow. I hope some of them on the inside start waking up! It's truly mass insanity moral decay.

Ironic.

[Cha]

69. K!

[Mc Mike]

70. I thought Senate rules could only be changed by simple majority on the first day

of the new session.

[rocktivity]

72. How's it feel, fuckers???

We learned all those neat obstruction games from YOU!!!


rocktivity

[IronLionZion]

73. Senate GOP Bypasses Dem Boycott of Mnuchin, Price By Suspending Rules

http://www.democraticunderground.com/10141686074

[wordpix]

80. DEPLORABLE

[SharonAnn]

81. Well, they own it.

[onecaliberal]

76. Oh please do, you'll own the shit lock stock and barrel.

[townie]

83. Serves the pubs right..payback time

.

[Doitnow]

84. Lie, Cheat and Steal---more