Senate Democrats Are Playing Hardball On Trump's Nominees

[DonViejo]

Source: Talking Points Memo


By LAUREN FOX Published JANUARY 19, 2017, 12:10 PM EDT

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced Thursday that Democrats will vote on just two of Trump's nominees on Inauguration Day, as of now.

Schumer said Democrats will allow roll call votes Friday on Gen. John Kelly to be the secretary of Homeland Security and Gen. James Mattis to be the defense secretary. They will also allow debate on Mike Pompeo to lead the CIA, but a vote on him was still up for discussion. Schumer added that more votes were possible on less controversial nominees, but Democrats were still negotiating with GOP colleagues.

Schumer, who stood between two giant signs of Trump's most controversial nominees, said issues that have come up through the vetting process "deserve to be thoroughly and rigorously reviewed by the Senate." Schumer drew specific attention to Rex Tillerson who is Trump's secretary of state pick and how his ties to Russia must still be reviewed. Schumer also hammered Rep. Tom Price (R-GA) who is Trump's HHS pick because of questions over whether Price violated the law when he purchased stocks of a health care company he later introduced legislation on.

"The more we learned about the nominees, the more important a thorough fair process became," Schumer said. Schumer also accused Republicans of trying to rapidly move forward with nominees to shield the American public from nominees' backgrounds.

Read more: http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/senate-democrats-are-playing-hardball-on-trump-s-nominees

[kimbutgar]

1. What about Jeff Sessions?????

He should be rejected outright.

[elmac]

2. They better play hardball on everything sniffles and the fascists do

everything! or the party will not survive.

[lark]

3. Good, but just a start.

Sessions and Davos need to be turned down, as well as those 2. Think Perry should also be failed as he has no knowledge of nuclear industry and is a fuck you to America. Don't remember the EPA pick, but that one also needs to be declined.

[kirby]

6. What about Nikki Haley? Ben Carson?

An ambassador to the UN with zero experience?
An brain damaged brain surgeon for HUD?

[lark]

12. They aren't good choices either.

However, I don't think t hey are as totally evil as some of the other nominees. Just my opinion.

[mpcamb]

14. Yeah, but, less than "totally evil" isn't much of a standard for running a major institution

of this country.

I think 'settling' is what got us here in the first place.

[Mc Mike]

4. Go, Dem Senate! Fight fight fight! rec, Nt

[bullwinkle428]

5. I think the Democrats are rushing to get Kelly and Mathis in place -

can't blame them at all for that; we need to have a couple of adults in the room for any potential shit that might hit the fan. As far as all the other nominees, all bets should be off.

[Megahurtz]

7. It's about time for hardball.

They've been playing hardball on us for 8 fucking years.

[JudyM]

8. Don't forget the 8 before that, either.

[AgadorSparticus]

9. They ALL need to go. But especially Sessions, DeVos, and Tillerson

[Matilda]

10. How often are nominees rejected?

I'm not totally familiar with the process, as I don't recall reading about such appalling nominees in the past.

Are the Democrats able to block the worst of the nominees, and what is the process?

BTW, I've seen Elizabeth Warren questioning (grilling might be more appropriate) some of these friends-of-Trump on Youtube videos, and she's marvellous! Very passionate, and extremely sharp.

[EL34x4]

11. I don't expect any of them will be rejected.

Republicans control the Senate.

[crim son]

13. I sure as hell hope so. n/t

[Coventina]

15. Good start. Now, make it tackle football.