15 puke "senators" were absent today? (CNN)

[SheltieLover]

https://www.cnn.com/2021/02/11/politics/impeachment-sketches-day-three/index.html

Inside the Senate chamber: Sketches of senators and empty desks during Day 3 of the impeachment trial

(CNN)The energy level in the Senate was reserved Thursday as the House managers wrapped up their second full day of arguments in the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump.

CNN's Manu Raju reported at least 15 empty desks on the Republican side at one point.
During Trump's first impeachment trial, senators were required to sit at their desk during the lengthy arguments, though they didn't always do so. This time, senators aren't required to remain at their desks due to the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing, but most have for the trial.
As the TV cameras are controlled by the Senate and are focused on the person speaking, viewers are unable to see how lawmakers react to the presentations.

More at link.

[Irish_Dem]

1. Let's hope they are absent from the vote too.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Oooh, I'd love that!

[2naSalit]

4. +1

[SheltieLover]

9. +1,000!

[CurtEastPoint]

3. If cameras are controlled by 'the Senate' and we control the Senate, why is it not shown.

[2naSalit]

6. Part of the agreement...

Made on how this would all go down. Most important was the evidence presentation, we know what assholes the Rs are and can expect them to be totally disrespectful.

[SheltieLover]

10. Ty, 2na, for explaining.

[BeerBarrelPolka]

5. They

They should be disqualified from casting a vote. It is humanly impossible for them to vote on the issues when they were not present to hear/see the issues. If this is allowed, then something bigger is going on and the Dems would have to be a part of it as well.

[SheltieLover]

11. Agreed!

Mask holes!

[Caliman73]

22. Why would the Democrats "have to be a part of it as well"

Attendance is not compulsory. Democrats cannot force Republicans to be responsible. Every Senator is entitled by their election to vote in any matter of the Senate.

It is not humanly impossible for them to vote. It is completely unethical, but unfortunately, not against the rules or any law for them to vote on any matter. The problem is that most of the Republican Senators have already voted in their minds, to acquit, evidence or no evidence. That is the travesty and that is also something that the Democrats do not control. The case is being/has been made abundantly clear that Trump is guilty of inciting insurrection. Anyone paying attention understands that, especially from the brilliant case laid out by the House Managers.

This, unfortunately isn't "something bigger" it is the run of the mill dysfunction that is the Senate of the United States.

[TheBlackAdder]

7. Should be if you miss any part of the trial, you can't be a juror.

[SheltieLover]

13. This!👆

[livetohike]

8. They can't handle the truth. I hope every one of them

loses their next election.

[SheltieLover]

14. Truth is inconvenient

So they ignore it!

[Hermit-The-Prog]

12. The Senate has the power to compel attendance. See Article I, Section 5

Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business; but a smaller number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the attendance of absent members, in such manner, and under such penalties as each House may provide.

Each House may determine the rules of its proceedings, punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a member.

[SheltieLover]

15. Wonder why this is allowed then?

[Hermit-The-Prog]

20. Maybe Democrats are happy if some Repuqs stay home, as long as the public notices.

[SheltieLover]

21. Could be!

Or maybe hoping they don't show up to vote.

[halfulglas]

16. I think they don't pan the Senate "audience" because it would distract.

It would distract from those fantastic managers. Since we can't count on the Senate to be fair, it has to make the greatest emotional effect on us, the American public. We have to be the witnesses even if we can't be the jury. We have seen this and we will remember.

I actually have no interest in seeing the defense although I might catch part of it, but I probably have to run a few errands tomorrow.

The House managers have been great. I hope that in near future those watching Fox and other channels will see parts that are not being shown them.

[FakeNoose]

17. Weren't they allowed to attend "virtually"?

I believe I read that they could sit outside the chamber in a separate room and watch it on a laptop or tv screen. Am I right?

[stillcool]

18. they went in and out...

they're like spoiled brats.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. IIRC, they were permitted to also sit in the galley for "social distancing"

if they wanted - in fact, there were reports yesterday that Hawley was up there yesterday with feet up -

Hawley watches trial from visitor's gallery

By Alexander Bolton and Jordain Carney - 02/10/21 03:19 PM EST


Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo. ), who has come under fire for objecting to Pennsylvania’s electoral votes in the 2020 election, watched the afternoon’s opening arguments from the visitor’s gallery above the Senate floor, where he was spotted with his feet propped up on the seat in front of him, intently reading something.

Hawley, who angered some of his Senate colleagues by voting to throw out the electoral votes of states where former President Trump claimed, without evidence, that there was widespread election fraud, said it felt “claustrophobic” on the floor sitting in close proximity to other senators.

“For me, it’s a little less claustrophobic,” he said. “So we’re not all jammed together” on the floor. “Not that I don’t like my colleagues,” he explained, adding that he sat apart so “we’re not elbow-to-elbow.” “Also, for me it’s a better viewpoint because I can look right at the impeachment managers and see them,” he added. “When I’m sitting in the chamber, I kind of look at the back of their head, which I did for three weeks last year,” referencing Trump’s first impeachment trial.

Hawley disputed a report that he was reading non-related material. “I've got the trial briefs with me and I've also got my notes that I'm taking during the —during the proceedings,” he told reporters during a break in the action. NBC reporter Garrett Haake said earlier in the day that Hawley “has been sitting up with his legs up on the seat in front of him essentially reading non-related material.” Haake said Hawley appeared to make “his feelings about these entire proceedings pretty clear.”

https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/538274-hawley-watches-trial-from-visitors-gallery