Posted on 12/10/2013 8:57:39 AM PST by markomalley
The Senate voted 56-38 Tuesday to confirm Patricia Millett to the D.C. Circuit Court, making her the first nominee of President Obama’s to clear the Senate since Democrats unilaterally changed the rules in a vote last month. Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski (Alaska) voted with Democrats.
The rule change means only 51 votes are needed to end a filibuster on nominations below the level of the Supreme Court.
The move outraged Republicans, who said Democrats had severely undermined minority rights in the upper chamber. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) triggered the “nuclear option” to make the change. It allows the Senate’s rules to be changed by a majority vote. “This was a pure power grab, plain and simple,” Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said ahead of the vote Tuesday. “If the majority party can’t be expected to follow the rules, then there are no rules.”
Republicans have warned that in response, they would seek to use other rules to slow the Senate’s procedure to a crawl.
"I’m pleased that in a bipartisan vote, the Senate has confirmed Patricia Millett to be a judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, filling a vacancy that has been open since 2005," President Obama said in a statement. "Ms. Millett is a leading appellate lawyer who has made 32 arguments before the Supreme Court, the second-most by a female advocate. She has served in the Department of Justice for both Democratic and Republican Presidents. I’m confident she will serve with distinction on the federal bench."
A second nominee is expected to be approved when the Senate considers Rep. Mel Watt’s (D-N.C.) nomination to the Federal Housing Finance Agency.
The Senate is expected to vote to end debate on Watt’s nomination later Tuesday. After up to eight hours of debate, the Senate will proceed to his confirmation vote.
The D.C. Circuit is often considered the second most powerful bench in the country because it has jurisdiction over most federal agencies.
The nominations of Millett and two other judges to the court set off the fight between Senate Republicans and Democrats.
Republicans warned that Democrats would regret the “irrevocable” change once they are in the minority.
“Washington Democrats changed our democracy irrevocable,” McConnell said. “And to what end, to pack the courts.”
“filling a vacancy that has been open since 2005”
That says a number of interesting things.
The Dems put up a woman first so the chicken repubs accused of some fictitious “war on women” would cower in the corner, and let her slide into the seat.
The Repubs have no cajones period.
“Washington Democrats changed our democracy irrevocable,” McConnell said. “And to what end, to pack the courts.”
STHU you miserable little coward!!!
YOU might have done a better job if you had been fighting all along an a great many things before this happened, but you and your gaggle of cowards with you should shut up, and wait for the irrevocable vote next year that hopefully sends some of your kind out the door...
I hope the states that these cowards are from and represent are paying attention...
Something tells me already nothing will be done...
And yeah, Texas has its fair share of problems as well...There are moves to make the attempt to primary out our problem...
How about it Alaska??? Kentucky??? Are there moves being made to ouster these humps???
McConnell is already on record shortly after the Rats went nuclear, saying he will restore minority rights when and if the Republicans ever gain control of the Senate. What a complete weasel! Why in heck do we have a Republican party. The Republicans are absolutely worthless! Worthless!
Republicans should walk out on these votes.
All republicans should have voted present or walked out
She did try to kill Joe Miller the night he won the primary. She or 0bama.
I thought Murk went rogue and ran as an independent?
That judge can’t be apart of the decision since the case has been heard!
Agreed
On the US Senate's website, under "legislation/votes." All roll call votes are posted there, but they're not very fast.
McConnell has the dems shaking in their boots.
Thank you for info.
That was Mel Reynolds
This Mel is a card carrying communist
Check out pics of him in Cuba with other commies in Congress from the CPC
“What will happen is that the DC circuit, like the 9th, will begin to have most of its opinions overturned.”
How? USSC? You forget, Roberts is a tard. He’s in with Obama.
He’ll twist himself into a braided ponytail if he has to just
like he did with Obamacare. This is what is meant by overthrow
from within. This is a coup d’etat you know.
“Or did they merely feign outrage like a pro wrestler after being hit by a folding chair, but then go back to a shared locker room with the offender and laugh about the rubes they fooled today?”
The establishment republicans are in on it with the tards.
They are a false front of opposition to the overthrow of
the United States. They are as fake as Obama.
That is an insult to scum. ;-)
Nothing but criminals.
Revolt is coming.
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