Kentucky House passes new rules for filling Senate vacancies

[Judi Lynn]

Source: Associated Press

PIPER HUDSPETH BLACKBURN,
Associated Press
March 16, 2021
Updated: March 16, 2021 6:27 p.m.



FILE - In this Monday, Nov. 25, 2019 file photo, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., right, speaks with Kentucky Governor-Elect Andy Beshear before the dedication of a Recovery Community Center in Manchester, Ky. Mitch McConnell has given his blessing to legislation to change how a vacant U.S. Senate seat would be filled in his home state of Kentucky, but it most certainly doesn't signal an opening is contemplated, an ally of the Senate Republican leader said Friday, March 12, 2021.Timothy D. Easley/AP

FRANKFORT, Ky (AP) — Kentucky lawmakers passed a bill Tuesday that would remove Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear’s ability to appoint a member of his own party to fill a vacancy in the U.S. Senate if one occurred.

The legislation, which Republican lawmakers pushed forward after discussions with U.S. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, now heads to the governor's desk.

Current state law allows the governor to appoint someone to fill the seat until the next regular election of the U.S. House of Representatives, which happens every two years. But under the bill approved Tuesday by the state House of Representatives, the governor would have to choose from a three-name list provided by leaders from the same party as the senator who formerly held the seat. Since Republicans currently hold both of Kentucky's Senate seats, GOP leaders would make the nominations.

A veto is likely to be overridden by Republican supermajorities in both the House and Senate.

Read more: https://www.chron.com/news/article/Kentucky-House-passes-new-rules-for-filling-16030995.php

[marble falls]

1. As much as I hate it in this case, I know how I'd feel if a GOP Governor named a Republican ...

... to replace a Democratic Senator or Representative.

The new law works for both parties.

[oasis]

2. VETO after sitting on it for an eternity.

[marble falls]

3. A pocket veto only works until the session is closed.

[FBaggins]

5. Not even that long in KY

The bill becomes law automatically after ten days if it isn’t vetoed... and it only takes a majority to override.

IOW - KY effectively has no veto

[marble falls]

16. There you go. Fortunately the law this time is good. I sure don't want GOP Govs appointing ...

Republicans to Democratic seats.

[Progressive Jones]

23. This is only because Turtle Boy plans on retiring or dying soon. nt

[essaynnc]

4. Sure....

but that is so self serving...they can't go along just changing the laws to suit their every whim to keep themselves in power. That's like they did here in NC to strip the incoming dem. governor of many of his powers....LAME!! How is that fought against??

[FBaggins]

6. It really isn't that unusual

We’ve done it before and began the process in Massachusetts a couple times in recent months in case Warren were appointed to a cabinet position or on the ticket.

[jorgevlorgan]

7. So. If they elect a democratic senator and a republican governor

....will they just change the law again -allowing a senator from a different party to be appointed? fwiw I think they've done similar things in states like massachusetts to avoid handing it to a republican.

[apnu]

17. If that happens in KY, the GOP is no longer a super majority in the state legislature (nt)

[jorgevlorgan]

19. Wouldn't need it if it is a gop gov

[jorgevlorgan]

8. The other question

Could the governor simply refuse to appoint somebody?

[Buckeyeblue]

13. Yes. I wonder what the state law says about that?

Or what if the governor defies state law and sends a Democratic replacement, who is then sworn in by the VP? That's what Republicans would do.

[Freethinker65]

9. Pick the most unqualified batshit crazy one on the GOP list.

That will most likely be the one that the Democrats will have to run against during the election.

[JohnnyRingo]

10. how would you like to play cards with Mitch McConnell?

New rule: sevens are wild and we're introducing the skip straight. Just for this hand, though.

[More_Cowbell]

11. I wonder if Mitch is sick?

He looked terrible in December with bruises on his hands and face.

[Comfortably_Numb]

12. Thanks for starting my day on a delightfully hopeful note--please be right!!!!

[Botany]

14. Mitch needs to die PDQ before the bill becomes a law.

n/t

[marble falls]

18. Too late. The GOP has a supermajority in the legislature.

[Botany]

21. So if Mitch dies before the bill becomes law the republicans will still get to pick the new senator?

Oh well, @ least I can go and piss on his grave.

[NurseJackie]

15. McConnell is preparing to retire early... or he's terminal with just weeks to live.

[catrose]

20. So there's nothing to lose by delaying every way possible

[Bayard]

22. Bastards!

Mitch will try to control everything till the day he dies. Hopefully soon.

Andy Beshear is a good governor. KY's Covid vaccination rate is now at 25% of all adults. We got ours this morning. Rethuglicans just can't stand Dem success.

[jgmiller]

24. The sad part is this assumes people are electing a party not a person

This is why the whole system is broken, we need to stop electing parties and start electing people again.