After Blocking Surgeon General Nominee, Republican Blames Obama For Surgeon General Vacancy

[KamaAina]

http://thinkprogress.org/health/2014/10/19/3581649/republican-blames-obama-for-surgeon-general-vacancy-after-republicans-blocked-surgeon-general-nominee/

It has been nearly a year since Vivek Murthy was nominated by President Obama to serve as the next Surgeon General, but thanks in large part to the gun lobby and their Republican allies in the Senate, there has yet to be any movement on his confirmation.

That vacancy has become a central focus in the last week as government officials and medical professionals try to calm the public about the spread of Ebola....

Todd questioned the wisdom of giving the NRA any kind of influence over the country’s top public health position, but Blunt rejected the notion that the NRA played any role in Murthy’s confirmation. “I’m not sure that’s why, you’d have to ask Senator Reid why he hasn’t move that to the top of his list to be confirmed.”

After the NRA began publicly opposing Murthy’s nomination, several of Blunt’s Republican colleagues including Rand Paul, John Cornyn and John Barrasso said they too would move to block Murthy’s nomination, and Paul placed a hold on the nomination.

[Travis_0004]

1. Reed never even brought it up for a vote?

Even if Reed knew it wouldnt pass, he never even held a vote on the issue.

[ARMYofONE]

2. Dems still hold the Senate, right?

Um, only 51 votes are necessary for confirmation, and there are 53 Dems in the Senate (as well as 2 independents that caucus with Dems). Stupid line of attack against Republicans.

[KamaAina]

3. The key word there is "hold".

As in "Rug Doctor Rand Paul has placed a hold on the nomination." Under Senate rules, that's enough to block it.

[tritsofme]

4. Holds are a courtesy that Reid has ignored in the past.

Murthy hasn't been confirmed because some Democrats didn't want to vote on it until the lame duck.

[KamaAina]

5. The usual DINO suspects?

Or those from purplish states who are running for re-election and fear the wrath of the NRA?

[ARMYofONE]

6. Only takes 51 Votes to Release the Hold

Because Reid changed the Senate rules, only 51 votes are needed to release a hold. The only difference is the confirmation would require two votes, one to release the hold, and the other to confirm. As much as I would like to blame Repubs for this one, the failure to confirm falls solely on Dem shoulders.

http://www.boston.com/politicalintelligence/2014/02/26/rand-paul-places-hold-surgeon-general-nominee-vivek-murthy-but-serious-delay-not-likely-under-new-rules/vgnbvvTNQahsk7S3oEsTEL/story.html