Question...if 10 GOP senators die before election, who controls it?

[Garion_55]

just tossing it out there for the sake of argument.

assuming the turtle is still alive, if there are more living sitting democratic senators alive at some point before election, do they run the place?


asking for a hopeful nation.

its not odd he is rushing back people simply to vote for judges like he is panicking knowing the end is near?

[PJMcK]

1. I think it's a States Rights issue

Don't most State governors have the authority to replace Senators and Congressman who leave office early? I recall that former Illinois Governor Blagojevich was convicted of trying to "sell" President Obama's Senate seat after he became president; he had the authority to name Obama's replacement and saw it as an opportunity for himself. it was one of the reasons he went to jail.

My point is that if U.S. Senators died, their governors would probably fast-track their replacements. Hopefully, some States have Democratic governors who would appoint people from our side.

[Jamastiene]

2. Good question.

I know in some states governors will pick another person from the same party to sit in until the next election. I don't know if that is a hard, fast rule or if that is just how they customarily do it. I'm not sure about other states or if that is even a state by state custom.

I would love to know the answer myself.

[lostnfound]

5. In North Carolina the legislature rigged game even further

Democratic government has to not only pick a Republican to replace a Republican, but it has to be chosen from list of three Republican chosen by the state executive committee of the Republican Party

[getagrip_already]

3. This came up a while back when the divide was much closer...

I think the answer was that even if the actual vote counts tip power, the leadership may not change.

From what I remember, the turtle could just use parliamentary maneuvers to prevent a leadership vote, and there is no real way in the senate to force it if no votes are held. At least until the next election.

So rather than turn over power, moscow mitch could just not hold any votes that would allow a change of leadership. Kind of a nuclear option, but he might see it as better than letting us pass bills that would embarrass trump and the gop. Or hold real hearings....

Not 100% sure, it's just what I recall.

[US4u2]

4. I think this question relies on the assumption that 10 GOP senators are alive in the first place.

[Amishman]

6. If this gets that bad, I don't think it matters

That suggests a level of spread and death toll that would collapse everything.