Posted on 05/04/2020 2:55:33 PM PDT by jazusamo
The Senate on Monday convened for the first time since March 25 as Democrats and Republicans clashed over the health of senators, as well as GOP efforts to confirm federal judges amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Calling his fellow lawmakers “essential workers” as he defended the decision to return to the Senate amid the outbreak, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R- Ky., roundly criticized Democrats for obstructing the confirmation of judges and key government posts for months and forcing the Senate to hold roll calls and floor votes during the public health crisis.
“The deadly coronavirus does not take time off so neither does the U.S. Senate,” McConnell said. “Qualified nominees who have been held up for too long are already more essential at this time.”
The Senate is expected on Monday to vote on the confirmation of Robert Feitel to serve on the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Later in the week, it will hold hearings for director of National Intelligence nominee John Ratcliffe and on the coronavirus’s impact on the aviation industry.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., shot back by accusing McConnell of endangering the health of senators, their staff and other workers on Capitol Hill by calling the Senate back in session to vote on confirming “right-wing judges."
“The Republican leader has called the Senate back into session despite the District of Columbia appearing to be reaching a peak phase,” of the virus, Schumer said. “If we are going to make these fine people come into work on this conditions, the Senate should focus like a laser on COVID-19 … but the majority leader has scheduled no hearings on COVID-19.”
(Excerpt) Read more at foxnews.com ...
Mitch SIDED with Pelosi to NOT HAVE THOSE TESTS AVAILABLE!! WYF??
Give the GOP Senators 200 mg Hydroxychloroquine +Zinc daily as a prophylactic and give the DIM Senators all the blow and $21/pint gourmet ice cream they want as a prophylactic. Then let's track who catches the virus and goes on a vent and probably croaks.
It's a win-win.
Plenty of room for 6 ft spacing, the use of masks and cleaning. Bring your own clorox wipes.
I think the country works just fine without the Congress or Senate.Their absence is a big money saver and think what the savings would be if we didn’t pay them. They’re not worth a plugged nickel anyway.
What good would a senate hearing do for the virus anyway? Are they going to create a vaccine for us?
As McConnell said, half of the judges that are up could be confirmed by unanimous consent, and nobody would have to show up at all, but the democrats won’t allow that.
McCarthy should call back the Republican side of the house and, if nothing else, start planning for the House change in January so they can hit the floor running at full speed. Doing so, showing the public they want to work, will put them in better light come November election.
If Schumer Democrats hadn’t been delaying for so long, they wouldn’t have to worry about DOING THEIR JOBS NOW when they don’t want to.
...and to top it off taxpayers are paying these hobos and their loser staff while they vacay. Pathetic thieves.
And the Senate should remain in session 24/7 to eat thru the 30 hour debate rule.
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