Republicans turn the tables on obstructionist Democrats, confirm two nominees in committee

by The Right Scoop

Democrats decided to boycott the committee nominations of both Tom Price and Steve Mnuchin, leaving the committee without the quorum needed to vote. Therefore, Republicans turned the tables on them by suspending their rules and confirmed both nominees:

(NOTE: If the video pauses at the 3 second mark, just click the slider slightly forward and it will proceed)

Here’s more:

WASHINGTON TIMES – Republicans who lead a key Senate panel suspended their own rules Wednesday and advanced President Trump’s picks to lead the Treasury and Health and Human Services departments unilaterally, saying they had no choice after Democrats boycotted committee votes for a second day in a row.

The Senate Finance Committee advanced Steven Mnuchin to lead Treasury and Rep. Tom Price as health secretary on Republican votes along, clearing the way for a confirmation vote before the full chamber. Both nominees made it out of committee on 14-0 votes.

The votes were supposed to occur on Tuesday. Yet Democrats derailed the markup by refusing to show up, which meant the panel didn’t have the quorum needed to do business. At least one Democrat must be present.

They failed to show for the rescheduled markup early Wednesday, leading to the rule change.

“They have nobody to blame but themselves,” Committee Chairman Orrin Hatch, Utah Republican, said.

Here’s a partial statement from Orrin Hatch on this himself:


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