Senate Rules

AOC Calls McConnell’s Absence Abnormal, Suggests New Rules

The idea that prolonged absences from the Senate floor, particularly for a senior lawmaker, are not typical and raise serious questions about the current rules governing such situations is gaining traction. It’s striking when a prominent figure suggests that the current situation, characterized by extended periods of absence and missed votes, might even be beyond the bounds of what should be considered legal under existing frameworks. This perspective highlights a growing concern that the existing systems might not adequately address scenarios where lawmakers are unable to fulfill their duties for extended durations, leading to a call for re-evaluation and potentially new regulations.… Continue reading

Senate Leaves Without Confirmation Deal; Trump Tells Schumer “Go to Hell”

The Senate adjourned for its August recess without a bipartisan agreement to expedite President Trump’s nominees, despite weeks of negotiations. Republicans are now considering rule changes to streamline confirmations, as Democrats have blocked nominees by denying unanimous consent and forcing lengthy roll calls. The breakdown in negotiations was intensified by Trump’s social media attacks on Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer. This latest impasse highlights the escalating obstruction of executive and judicial nominees over the past two decades, and may prompt revisions to senate rules to speed up the process.

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