Democrats Boycott Confirmation Of Trump Nominees, Blocking Mnuchin, Price Votes

Zero Hedge ^ | 01/31/17 | Tyler Durden

[Enlightened1]

Full out war between Democrats and the White House broke out today when Senate Democrats on Tuesday refused to attend a committee vote on two President Trump’s more controversial nominees, effectively delaying their consideration. Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee boycotted votes to advance Tom Price, Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and Steven Mnuchin, his selection to head the Treasury Department.

Since at least one democrat must be on present for the vote to be held, the move will effectively delay and potentially prevent the confirmation votes on Mnuchin and Price. The duo is among some of the more contentious selections to join Trump’s Cabinet.

Democrats walked out of the Senate Finance Committee hearing room, arguing that Mnuchin and Price misled senators in their testimony before the panel, and saying they could not allow a vote to proceed without more information. Minutes before the scheduled vote on the pair, democrats said they refused to enter the hearing room until they get answers to their questions about Price's stock purchase in an Australian biotechnology company.

"At a minimum, I believe the committee should postpone this vote" and have an opportunity to talk to officials at the biotech company, Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the committee, told reporters. He said they'll be willing to move forward on Price and Treasury nominee Steven Mnuchin only after their questions are answered, especially on Price, whom Wyden suggested hasn't been "straight" with the committee.

Both Price and Mnuchin had been targeted fiercely by Democrats on a range of ethical issues. Price was pressed on his investment activity in various medical companies, and whether he improperly mixed his political activity with his personal portfolio.

[Principled]

Vote without them. Do you think waiting will have dems change their minds and help???!!!

[Navin Johnson]

Better yet, let the Dems continue to obstruct and keep reminding the public of their crap for the next four years. Chuckie and SanFranNan can continue singing “This Land is My Land” while the Dems lose another 1,000 state/fed seats.

[vette6387]

“Since at least one democrat must be on present for the vote to be held, the move will effectively delay and potentially prevent the confirmation votes on Mnuchin and Price. The duo is among some of the more contentious selections to join Trump’s Cabinet.”

Then McConnell should change the rule, and start docking the pay of the RATS who refuse to show up.

[Republican Wildcat]

At least one must be present for the vote to take place.

[pepsi_junkie]

Price was pressed on his investment activity in various medical companies, and whether he improperly mixed his political activity with his personal portfolio.

That's rich coming from people who exempted themselves from insider trading rules and somehow all manage to leave "public service" extremely wealthy.

[txrefugee]

The Founders never thought people would put such dishonorable people in office or they would have said that those boycotting a confirmation hearing should not be counted in a quorum. This is scandalous.

[Fantasywriter]

‘Since at least one democrat must be on present for the vote to be held’

Who knew about this rule? Not the GOP, evidently; they never used it.

Oh wait, they’re the Uniparty. It’s just the Dems that actually take a stand.

[McGavin999]

They really don’t want those tax cuts

[theyreallthesame]

Have a Republican Senator switch parties and cause a vote... then switch back. That’s what they would do .

[RegulatorCountry]

Can this exemption be rescinded by EO? The threat of that would get them back to the table, the money-grubbing pretentious b-tards.

[Herman Ball]

I understand that there is some rule that requires at least one member of the opposite party to be there.
The Democrats will not be happy until there is blood flowing in the streets of America. When it starts we must find a Democrat politician to go after.
The Democrats are as Evil as terrorist and in effect they aid the terrorist movement.

[Voluntaryist]

https://www.senate.gov/artandhistory/history/minute/Compulsory_Attendance.htm

[Reno89519]

Since Republicans are majority WHY NOT VOTE?

[Mr. K]

There must be SOME actions they can take with no Dems present- let them leave and then vote for everything they can without their delaying tactics.

Make them damned if they do and damned if they don’t

[blueunicorn6]

Um.....I believe we won the election.

I think that we really need a National Prom Queen.

Then the Democrats could vote their feelings and get over themselves.

[Ancesthntr]

“At least one must be present for the vote to take place.”

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That is a Senate rule, which is not mandated by the Constitution or federal law. As such, it can be changed...providing that the majority party has the backbone to do so.

If’n I were McConnell, I’d give them until Thursday. Friday morning at 9:00 A.M. there will be a vote to change that Senate rule, whether the Dems like it or not, and no matter how much they complain. But, of course, the Turtle has no balls, so he won’t do it.

[pinkandgreenmom]

Too bad one of the R’s on the committee can’t “switch” affiliation to D to vote. And then change back.

[nikos1121]

If you don’t show up for work, I guess why should you be paid?

[Ancesthntr]

“There must be SOME actions they can take with no Dems present- let them leave and then vote for everything they can without their delaying tactics.

Make them damned if they do and damned if they don’t”

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McConnell can put the Senate into recess, and let Trump make recess appointments for Mnuchin, Price, Jeff Sessions, Tillerson and, for that matter, Scalia’s replacement.

See how the Dims like THAT!