Graham shoots down request for Merrick Garland confirmation hearing Feb. 8

[Judi Lynn]

Source: The Hill


BY JORDAIN CARNEY - 02/01/21 10:10 PM EST

Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) rejected a Democratic request on Monday to schedule a confirmation hearing next week for Merrick Garland, President Biden's pick to be attorney general.

Though Democrats have the Senate majority, Graham is still the Senate Judiciary Committee chairman because the chamber hasn't yet passed an organizing resolution for the 117th Congress.

That means the Senate panels are still operating under last year's setup — in which Republicans had the majority.

Graham's letter comes after Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), the incoming committee chairman, urged him to schedule a hearing for Feb. 8, arguing that there was "simply no justification" for not scheduling it and hinting that behind-the-scenes talks were at an impasse.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/536874-graham-shoots-down-request-for-feb-8-merrick-garland-hearing

[kairos12]

1. Garland held up again by the Reich Wing. Nothing ever changes.

[Calista241]

27. I don't think we can just snap our fingers and do that.

With other agencies, that's a possibility, but the DoJ has very clear lines of succession, and those have the weight of law behind them.

[dchill]

3. Time to get muscular.

[hedda_foil]

4. This has gotten ridiculous. There must be a McConnell-esque nuclear tactic to blow it up.

[Nitram]

5. Oh, there's a very special place in Hell for Lindsay Glam. In the old days he would have

been shunned and died in poverty.

[AZ8theist]

6. This is fucking ridiculous

Leningrad Lindsey shouldn't be able to decide how much toilet paper is in the men's rooms much less who Biden's AG should be...

I know, I know.....the Senate isn't "organized" yet.
But this is fucking ridiculous.

If Doturd can install an "acting" AG with little to no experience in law, then Biden should do the same with Garland.

And open an investigation of Graham's ties to Russia.

[mollie8]

16. Amen

[Rebl2]

23. Absolutely

he should make him acting AG.

[Bayard]

7. The chamber hasn't yet passed an organizing resolution for the 117th Congress.

What the hell is up with that, and who is is responsible for accomplishing this?! i can't believe rethugs are still in charge, even when they're not.

Graham is stalling everything because he can't possibly focus on nominations and an impeachment trial at the same time.

I like hearing Durbin say, "Although I hope we can proceed in a bipartisan fashion, I am prepared to take other steps to expedite the Senate’s consideration of Judge Garland’s nomination should his hearing not go forward on February 8".

[demosincebirth]

30. Durbin, do it! Don't give 'em any more oxygen

[yaesu]

8. "should his hearing not go forward on February 8" ummm, its not going forward so tell the

fascist little russian humper to stand aside so the real Americans can get to work.

[patphil]

9. Graham knows that Garland is going to be bad news for the Republicans.

He's afraid of him.

[SunSeeker]

10. They had said McConnell caved, so why the fuck is the organizing resolution not passed yet?

But looks like it's us that are caving and letting Lindsey call the shots. What the fuck?

[DeminPennswoods]

19. Sanders said last night on with Chris Hayes

the organizing resolution is supposed to be passed today.

[thesquanderer]

21. It's in the linked article.

Senate leaders indicated that they were close to an agreement last week after they defanged a fight over the legislative filibuster, but the Senate adjourned for the weekend without voting on a deal.

[SunSeeker]

28. I did read that. That doesn't explain WHY they didn't get it done, only that they didn't do it.

It only confirms that they indeed did not get it done, despite McConnell's "cave" on the filibuster a week ago.

[sakabatou]

11. Bastards

[Teddy Beer]

12. Shoot YOURSELF Down, Lindsey

And do us all a favor!

[LastLiberal in PalmSprings]

13. So much for Repugs whining about "unity."

Once the organizing resolution has passed, the Dems will immediately approve Garland as AG. The only thing Lindsey has done -- other than continuing to prove what an asshole he is -- is to delay the inevitable. Between his childishness and the proposed COVID relief package the ten GOP senators presented -- one-third the size that's needed -- the Republicans have proven their idea of bipartisanship is "do it our way."

[Traildogbob]

15. Absolutely

Fuck their unity and everyone of them. Every time media bring it up, Dems gusts need to just say fuck that. Lindsay Graham and McTurtle have zero desire to unify. Unity will never fix the shit repukes have destroyed for decades, how about unity on allowing election participation for all.

[Mc Mike]

14. Delay, play for time, traitor.

I can hardly wait for Lindsay's gambit to fail, then when Rump goes down, he'll release the blackmail he has on Lindsay

[Historic NY]

17. Lets end this nonsense right now.....

First rule have the VP Harris run the Senate sessions. What the hell do they think her main role is.

The important thing is these are just some of the entirely viable ways for unified and determined Democrats to pass whatever they want with a simple majority. Ultimately, the rules of the Senate are whatever the vice president plus 50 senators say they are. So Democrats can get around any filibuster for policies they truly care about, even if they insist on "keeping the legislative filibuster."


[link:https://theweek.com/articles/963853/5-wacky-things-senate-democrats-instead-ending-filibuster|]

[Paladin]

18. No, no, no. Fuck that shit.

I want a hearing for Garland immediately. A quick hearing, fo0llowed by a prompt approval. He deserves no less.

[iscooterliberally]

20. I wonder what Graham is afraid of? N/t

[Rebl2]

24. My

thought as well. Afraid of having to testify under oath maybe?

[iscooterliberally]

25. I hope so.

I hope Garland's DOJ roots out some corrupt GOP senators. That would be great.

[IronLionZion]

22. Garland must be really good if GOP is so desperate to block him

he's coming to get you Lindsey. I hope he prosecutes all of these insurrectionists.

[turbinetree]

26. Okay, Chuck time to end this republican charade

especially with #Moscow Mitch and this twit #Lennigrad Lindsey just bastardizing the Constitution yet again, we don't forget, there's a new kid in town............it's called accountability and most importantly playing by the rule of law.............

[autorank]

29. Why is Graham still chairman? n/t