Last updated on July 17th, 2023 at 07:03 pm
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) showed why Republicans are terrified of her by showing the world the depth of Mitch McConnell’s obstruction on the Senate floor.
Video:
To get more stories like this, subscribe to our newsletter The Daily.
In an accompanying Facebook post, Sen. Warren said:
Merrick Garland isn’t the only judicial nominee that the Republicans are obstructing.
As of today, there are 15 nominees for federal District Court seats who have cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee and are waiting for confirmation votes. On Monday, I wanted to go to the Senate floor to request votes for those nominees — but I guess Republican Majority Leader Mitch McConnell didn’t want to be embarrassed with a video like this one, so Republicans cut me a deal: two other federal judge nominees would be confirmed if I’d keep my mouth shut. I took the deal, and freed those two hostages.
Today, I went back to Senate floor to call for immediate votes on those 15 uncontroversial nominees – and McConnell objected. I asked for 9 judges, and they objected. I asked for 4 judges, and they objected. I asked for just one vote for the nominee who has been waiting the longest – nearly a year – and they objected.
I wish I could say I’m surprised, but Mitch McConnell and the Senate Republicans have made it their priority to keep court seats empty as long as possible to hamstring President Obama. The American people deserve better than this.
Mitch McConnell’s word is worthless, so it was smart of Warren to take McConnell’s “hush nominees” and then turn the tables on him by demanding votes on the other 13 nominees. Warren exposed McConnell as an obstructionist fool who is only interested in blocking any confirmation of President Obama’s appointees, because he is holding on to the fading hope that Donald Trump will win the presidential election.
Sen. Warren was correct to call the Obama nominees hostages, because that is exactly what they are. The nominees are being held hostage by an extremist who only has one goal, and that is constant obstruction. Warren smartly forced McConnell to show the world what Senate Republicans are all about.
Voters got an eyeful of the do-nothing Senate Republicans in action, which is why come November, the American people will may very well send the Republican majority packing.
Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
