Graham shoots down request for Merrick Garland confirmation hearing Feb. 8

[left-of-center2012]

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) rejected a Democratic request on Monday to schedule a confirmation hearing next week for Merrick Garland, President Biden's pick to be attorney general. Though Democrats have the Senate majority, Graham is still the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman because the chamber hasn't yet passed an organizing resolution for the 117th Congress.

That means the Senate panels are still operating under last year's setup — in which Republicans had the majority.

Graham's letter comes after Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the incoming committee chairman, urged him to schedule a hearing for Feb. 8, arguing that there was "simply no justification" for not scheduling it and hinting that behind-the-scenes talks were at an impasse.

But Graham, in his own letter, ... pointed to the upcoming impeachment trial, scheduled to start next week, as a roadblock. He added that Democrats "do not get to score political points" through the impeachment trial while "also trying to claim the mantle of good government".

It is unclear when the Senate will pass a power-sharing deal setting up how an evenly split chamber will operate.

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/536874-graham-shoots-down-request-for-feb-8-merrick-garland-hearing

[SheltieLover]

1. K&R!

Make him "acting" AG!

[AleksS]

2. Silly question, but if the R's DON'T ever agree to a power sharing agreement,

do they just get to stay in power?

If so, what's the incentive for them to agree to a new deal?

[servermsh]

3. Democrats could use the so-called "nuclear option"

Assuming all Democrats support it, the Democrats could force the Republicans to filibuster the organizing resolution. Then Schumer would ask for a ruling from the chair on whether the vote can be filibustered. The chair would, correctly, say yes it can be filibustered. Then the Democrats could vote to overrule the ruling of the chair, by a majority vote. This would allow Democrats to specify, for example, that organizing resolutions are no longer filibusterable (while leaving the filibuster in place for regular legislation).

Democrats could have done this on January 20th. They chose not to. I'd assume some Democrats would not have supported doing it.

So for now Republicans chair the committees.

[Kashkakat v.2.0]

4. I thought we didnt have to do that anymore (get confirmations for appointees) per the last prez?????

So lets call him Acting Attorney General then.

[Hermit-The-Prog]

5. How much longer will the Senate be allowed to be held hostage by Moscow Mitch?

[UTUSN]

7. I long for seeing Lindsey in his craven, crawling mode when he was cowardly about losing.

[nuxvomica]

8. So he concedes impeachment is a winner for Democrats

As they will "get to score political points." Interesting.

[Captain Zero]

9. why was he not confirmed before Biden took office? Should be what we go talk about

More stall and delay for the transition to a Biden Administration and cabinet from a guy who tried to interfere in another state's electoral process.

[OnDoutside]

10. It is utterly intolerable to ratfuck Merrick Garland TWICE. Completely unacceptable. Nuclear option

NOW.