Both Schumer and the chair were literally reading from a script. I'm sure McConnell was aware this was going to happen.
McConnell just rasied the nuclear point of order.
I sort of object to today's proceeding being nuclear - when Frist was considering this, the deciding vote was going to be Cheney.
Schumer now moves to adjourn until 5 pm and asks for yeas and nays. Motion to adjourn is not debateable, so straght to a simple majority vote. This is a sophomoric delay tactic.
On the vote to confirm Gorsuch, the chair ruled against Mcconnell, and he is appealing the ruling of the chair. The question will be should the ruling of the chair be upheld (may be phrased in the negative, should the ruling of the chair be rejected). Listen carefully to the question, so you don;t have a heart attack as that vote is taken.
Came late to the party-your last paragraph most helpful! Thanks!
1) McConnell is appealing the ruling of the parliamentarian to the president of the Senate (Pence).
2) Pence will overrule the parliamentarian,
3) then the Senate votes to accept Pence's overrule.
4) Then they revote the cloture vote with a 51-vote threshold.
-PJ