McConnell cancels Senate's August recess

[mystery-ak]

McConnell cancels Senate's August recess
By Jordain Carney - 06/05/18 01:28 PM EDT

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said on Tuesday that he will cancel the August recess, citing "historic obstruction" by Democrats.

“Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the president’s nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled," McConnell said in a statement.

He added that senators would stay in session "to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the president’s nominees.”

The Senate had been expected to leave town on August 3 for a four-week break and not return to Washington until early September, after Labor Day.

But under McConnell's new plan, senators are expected to be out of town for the week of August 6. They will then return to Washington and remain in session for the rest of the month.

Here is McConnell's full statement.

“Due to the historic obstruction by Senate Democrats of the president’s nominees, and the goal of passing appropriations bills prior to the end of the fiscal year, the August recess has been canceled. Senators should expect to remain in session in August to pass legislation, including appropriations bills, and to make additional progress on the president’s nominees.”

http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/390784-mcconnell-cancels-senates-august-recess

[Formerly Once-Ler]

There must be some reason to despise McConnell for this.  Bring the hate Trumpers.

[bilo]

It's nice to see that there is at least some consequence for not doing their jobs in a timely manner.

[darroll]

They are on recess all the time anyway.

[WingNot]

There must be some reason to despise McConnell for this.  Bring the hate Trumpers.

Something is afoot. 

[Bigun]

There must be some reason to despise McConnell for this.  Bring the hate Trumpers.

Never a reason to despise doing the right thing.  Hope it's the start of a new trend.

[edpc]

That’s too bad. Between the congressional recess and no school, it’s the best time to visit and travel around DC.

[skeeter]

McConnell has been under intense pressure from conservatives, including members of his own caucus, and the White House to cancel at least part of the recess.

I guess even Mitch couldn’t justify a month off given the backlog of nominees milling around in the cloak room.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

McConnell has been under intense pressure from conservatives, including members of his own caucus, and the White House to cancel at least part of the recess.

I guess even Mitch couldn’t justify a month off given the backlog of nominees milling around in the cloak room.

Jeez.  Judges are the only thing Trump has going for him.  McConnell nuked the senate to confirm them.  You're really going to be unhappy when the rats get control.

[libertybele]

Something is afoot.

Exactly.  Definitely not typical of the "Turtle" to do the right thing.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

http://www.nrtoday.com/opinion/columnists/how-mcconnell-is-winning-the-long-game/article_21fc81ab-3922-5c2c-b359-0ac20642fb0b.html

To prevent Republicans from reciprocating with filibusters against Obama’s packing-by-enlargement of the nation’s second-most important court, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Democrats changed Senate rules to bar filibusters of judicial nominees other than those for the Supreme Court. McConnell removed that pointless exemption to make possible the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch.

McConnell is amenable to ending filibusters of nominations to executive and judicial positions (the Senate, he says, is “in the personnel business”). But without filibusters of legislation, he says, the nation might have socialized medicine, guaranteed government jobs, card-check workplace unionization, a ban on right-to-work laws, and other afflictions. He notes that since popular election of senators began in 1914, Republicans have never had more than 60 senators. And in the last 100 years, Democrats have simultaneously held the presidency, the House and the Senate for 34 years, Republicans for only 20.

Almost 30 years after the end of his presidency, Ronald Reagan still shapes events because of his nomination of Justice Anthony Kennedy, who often has been 20 percent of a court majority. Three decades from now, McConnell will be shaping the nation through judges who today are in their 40s, some of whom might be destined to be Neil Gorsuch’s colleagues. This is the long game.

[WingNot]

Exactly.  Definitely not typical of the "Turtle" to do the right thing.

Agreed.  Waiting for the shoe to drop.

[edpc]

Something is afoot.

If something is up, the White House does not seem to be included. During the daily press briefing, Sanders read a congratulatory statement on McConnell’s decision at the 14:55 mark.


! No longer available

[Applewood]

"appropriations bills"  Yeah, right.  Spending taxpayer money seems to be about the only thing these lazy lumps know how to do.    Would be nice if the energy they expend throwing money around could be used to keep their promises, such as repealing Obamacare. 

[WingNot]

If something is up, the White House does not seem to be included. During the daily press briefing, Sanders read a congratulatory statement on McConnell’s decision.

Just spitballing but:
I figure McCain is hours or maybe  days away from his long awaited  repose in the rotunda.  Mitch wants everyone there to welcome john boy home.

[Cyber Liberty]

Something is afoot.

No recess = no recess appointments.

[Formerly Once-Ler]

No recess = no recess appointments.

@Cyber Liberty
Wow.  I didn't even think of that.  Interesting.

[skeeter]

Jeez.  Judges are the only thing Trump has going for him.  McConnell nuked the senate to confirm them.  You're really going to be unhappy when the rats get control.

I will. Won't you?

[Free Vulcan]

Let's hope they do more than declare August to be National Wazoo Month and pass a resolution of solidarity with the the struggle of the people of East Southern Middle Outer Zylekia for freedom.

[WingNot]

So you are saying:  "Up your Wazoo"?

[Cyber Liberty]

@Cyber Liberty
Wow.  I didn't even think of that.  Interesting.

It occurs to me...Trump wants to sack Sessions and Rosenswine, and cancelling the recess precludes his replacing Sessions with a recess appointment.  The Senators have said they won't confirm anybody Trump nominates to replace Sessions.

McConnell strikes again, on behalf of the Swamp.

[edpc]

@Cyber Liberty
Wow.  I didn't even think of that.  Interesting.

Well, if the president had any plans for making a recess appointment, you would think they’d be less than happy about the decision. However, they released a positive statement about it this afternoon.

[Cyber Liberty]

Well, if the president had any plans for making a recess appointment, you would think they’d be less than happy about the decision. However, they released a positive statement about it this afternoon.

What did they say?  Do you believe "them?" 

[edpc]

What did they say?  Do you believe "them?"

See post 12 and listen for yourself. You bring up a good point, since Sanders has made a fool out of herself with statements before.

[WingNot]

If trump was going to make "recess appointments" he would have been tweeting it up for days now to force Mitchie poo.   

I ain't buying that excuse.  The post turtle is up to something.