McConnell recesses Senate amid Kavanaugh hearings

[turbinetree]

Source: The Hill

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) recessed the Senate on Thursday after Republicans warned that Democrats could try to use arcane procedure to stop Brett Kavanaugh’s Supreme Court hearing.

McConnell asked that the Senate be recessed “subject to the call of the chair”—meaning they will come back into session later Thursday, if only to formally adjourn for the day.

McConnell didn’t give any guidance when he made the move about why he was making the request or when the Senate would come back into session.

“I ask that the Senate stand in recess subject to the call of the chairman,” McConnell said from the Senate floor.

Read more: http://thehill.com/homenews/senate/405417-mcconnell-recesses-senate-amid-kavanaugh-hearings

[maxsolomon]

1. It's to stop the 2pm maneuver the Dems used yesterday.

Probably.

Tit for tat.

[DownriverDem]

2. A**munch

I hate turtleman and all repubs.

[barbtries]

7. me too

venal, conniving, cheating, traitorous asshats. every fucking one of 'em

[underpants]

8. +++

[bucolic_frolic]

3. Republicans are terrified

Even if they succeed in this confirmation, they've confirmed a Justice who has perhaps committed perjury. In the wrong circumstances of political winds, that could have legs to it. Their phones must be ringing off the hooks. If they confirm him they risk further erosion in November's elections, and the hatred of 1/3 of the populace, which translates to diminution of the Republican brand. They don't know what to do but hunker down and get 'er done, and the well of goodwill is empty. End of an era, perhaps.

Watershed elections hinge on voter anger. Throw the bums out, early and often. Their entire 20 year plan to subjugate America is exposed for all to see, as is the Trump power grab.

That's what's troubling Mitch McConnell. The fruits of corruption, treachery, and abusing the U.S. Constitution.

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Or maybe they're going to expel Cory Booker on voice vote, before the confirmation vote

Who knows?

[7962]

6. Booker isnt going anywhere, he had the documents cleared to release.

Even if he didnt, they wouldnt expel him. Too much of a gift for Nov!!

[Gore1FL]

12. That's a power-play they would lose big on, I think.

Especially given what appears to be the pulse of the electorate.

[paleotn]

18. Optics on that would be even worse.

Booker has called their bluff and they will flinch.

[lagomorph777]

5. Emergency stop. Hit the big red button!

Kavanaugh is turning out to be a catastrophe: the nexus of every filthy GOP secret for the past 25 years. Better to quit before more filth is revealed.

[appalachiablue]

9. Yup, not nearly as slick & steel armored as Gorsuch, as Charlie Pierce wrote.

Mitch & Co. wanted Senate Confirmation Vote on Sept. 20...

[apnu]

10. I figure Gorsuch was the establishment pick, Kav is Trump's pet pick

Trump laid in Gorsuch to make the party happy, but this one is for him personally. But since everything Trump touches turns to shit, this is blowing up.

As others have noted, the R's are in a crap position. They're perverted the nominating process which is playing bad in the media and its pissed off a lot of voters. The Dems are showing sudden spines not seen in a long time and that's playing well, America does love an underdog after all. If they retreat on Kav, they're going to get it from their rabid base, but if they ram Kav through they'll give the Dems more ammo come November.

So they can do three things, I figure, none of them good. 1) Ram Kav through and face the music in the Midterms, 2) dump Kav and face primaries in 2020 from far right-wackos, or 3) Punt until after the Midterms, hope the losses aren't that bad, and ram Kav through in the lame duck session, having nothing to lose.

But as we know with McConnell, there is no Senate rule or tradition he won't break cravenly for his personal gains, so who knows what he'll do.

I think its 50-50 odds he'll force a vote on Sept. 20, regardless of the shit-show going on in committee right now.

[barbtries]

11. i don't think he'll allow the vote

unless and until he is confident he will win it.

[apnu]

13. So the suspension of the Senate Session today is related?

I found it interesting McConnell shut it down and recessed. Maybe Republicans are feeling the heat and getting nervous?

[barbtries]

17. i want to read it that way!

i really do. but i don't know.

[catrose]

14. I'm so much happier with them recessed. Long may it last!

At least they can't do anything when recessed, and that's a good thing with Rs in control.

[BlueIdaho]

15. McConnell can't figure out how to run a washing machine

Let alone the Senate. Time for that old fool to be turfed out.

[mountain grammy]

16. He's a stinking traitor..

[cstanleytech]

19. I think what they are doing is trying to figure out if they want to risk pushing forward now.

The risk to them is great and while he would be their dream judge the problem is if its worth them potentially losing even more seats in the upcoming election by forcing him on the country.
If they decide its not worth it expect them to have him announce his own withdrawl to save face with some sort of statement of trying to blame the Democrats for essentially doing their job.