General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsTempers Flaring in Senate
Poor Susan Collins she is angry:
Tensions boiled over on the Senate floor Monday as senators debated a mammoth coronavirus stimulus package.
The normally clubby atmosphere was gone as Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) opened the chamber with a blistering speech, Democrats temporary blocked Republicans from speaking and one senator was overheard calling the exchange bullshit.
McConnell eviscerated Democrats during his speech, at one point asking, "are you kidding me?"
It is time for Democrats to stop playing politics and step up to the plate, McConnell added.
But the frustrations only escalated from there.
When Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) tried to get permission to speak, Minority Leader Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.) objected.
This is unbelievable, Collins could be overheard saying on the floor, before going to consult with GOP leadership.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) then tried to speak, but Schumer similarly objected.
The tactics sparked vocal pushback from Republican senators who were on be floor.
Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), who was standing at the front of the chamber, could be overheard calling the maneuvers bullshit.
Schumer then tried to consent to speak, and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), who was in his seat at the back of the chamber, yelled that he also objected.
When Schumer tried to argue that he still has control of the floor, Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.), who was presiding over the floor drama, replied: No, you do not.
McConnell and Schumer eventually reached an agreement to allow for senators to give speeches before a key procedural vote.
But the frustration continued to play out, as Collins used her speech to call Democrats blocking the bill, which they say was drafted only by Republicans, disgraceful.
Collins also walked over to directly confront Schumer while he was still on the floor, leaning toward him and pointing her finger at him.
You are objecting to my speaking? This is appalling! she said.
As Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) was speaking, Risch tried at multiple points to ask a question.
Time remains on the Republican side. They can use it as they wish, Durbin replied. I allowed the senator from South Dakota to finish his. I hope youll show that same respect.
RT Atlanta
(2,517 posts)no time to 'be nice' or respectful (except to the bare minimum required for process/procedure).
dewsgirl
(14,961 posts)Roy Rolling
(6,915 posts)Do some work for a change, get out of the country club mentality.
Being a (Republican) Senator in 2020 is a disgrace. They voted to keep an incompetent maniac as president.
Their colleagues may be okay with it, but history wont be as kind.
Windy City Charlie
(1,178 posts)It's coming down to the desire to separate the haves and the have nots. If the Republicans get their way with this, the ramifications from it could end up being awfully dire. The Democrats want to take care of the every day American citizens, while the Republicans only care about the big shots.
totodeinhere
(13,058 posts)We are headed for a depression the likes of which no person alive on this planet has ever seen. And no matter what bill the Senate eventually comes up with it will only be a stopgap at best.
Chainfire
(17,531 posts)Are seeing the opportunity to turn over the treasury of the United States to their corporate masters, and they are going all in.
The Democrats hold the high ground on this issue and I think the American people will realize it sooner or later.
tecelote
(5,122 posts)As you said... they need to portray this as "a turn over of the treasury of the United States to their corporate masters".
Time to position this as Corporate America vs. Main Street America
bdamomma
(63,837 posts)Democratic Senators those repig thugs do not believe in democracy nor believe in the American people, we are dying here!!!!
Brainfodder
(6,423 posts)Hallewherehaveyoubeenlujah?
Duppers
(28,120 posts)Finally.
Volaris
(10,270 posts)let them own that now.
Fuck em, fuck their precious wall street bailouts and fuck their re elections.
Stand strong, Democrats, and let them scream.
agingdem
(7,848 posts)every time Mitch that Sonofabitch and his minions open their mouths I want the Dems to shove disinfectant wipes down their throats
malaise
(268,949 posts)24/7
Fuck MoscowMitch
MarcA
(2,195 posts)in prison for his antics of the past decade.
gratuitous
(82,849 posts)My word, I thought only Republicans were allowed to do that. Republicans certainly don't appear to like the taste of their own medicine.
Volaris
(10,270 posts)They've been dumping it down our throats for 10 years at least. Let them swallow some.
MFM008
(19,806 posts)Disturbed?
leftieNanner
(15,082 posts)Deeply
Baked Potato
(7,733 posts)About 3 years I think.
Hortensis
(58,785 posts)all over the place and showing the Democrats as obstructing the Republicans who CONTROL the chamber!
What's happening is that the Republicans are lying viciously as they do their best to limit and delay rescue AND use the emergency bills to transfer more of our nation's wealth to those they serve. No, "you're kidding me," about that. The result of their inactions has been to set huge numbers of people up to die, understanding that by far most lost will have been elderly and ill benefits recipients.
And, of course, the Republicans are as usual projecting of their own crimes onto the Democrats who are desperately trying to stop them and get word out to the people about what's happening.
maxrandb
(15,322 posts)and they're pissed that Democrats are no longer willing to play Charlie Brown with the football.
budkin
(6,699 posts)Democrats have ALL the leverage here.
kentuck
(111,079 posts)Hopefully, for a very long time.
bluestarone
(16,912 posts)Under NO circumstances!!!!
MoonlitKnight
(1,584 posts)Which delayed the previous bill? A bill that was arguably much more urgent than this one.
Moscow Mitch is the one who unleashed these tactics. Time for a taste of his own medicine. Stand strong, but lets also get some senators on TV fighting back against the BS being spewed. Especially the trope about the delay being about emissions of airliners.
iluvtennis
(19,851 posts)how it is to be used, especially wrt workers.
Pepsidog
(6,254 posts)dem4decades
(11,282 posts)Pelosi or a younger subordinate should be out there.
Pepsidog
(6,254 posts)slumcamper
(1,606 posts)Cartoonist
(7,316 posts)Not sure what Chuck's strategy is. They ended up speaking anyway. But do what you can.
sop
(10,162 posts)and $trillions are added to the debt, Republicans will once again become deficit hawks and demand "cutting entitlements." Remember what happened after Trump's tax cuts for the wealthy passed?
yellowcanine
(35,699 posts)Skittles
(153,150 posts)they are trying to HELP THEMSELVES TO THE TREASURY before November
GET IT?????