General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: About this Senate jury... [View all]onenote
(44,922 posts)The decorum guidelines, emobodied in a letter signed jointly by McConnell and Schumer, are not hard and fast "rules." For example, the decorum guidelines state that "Senators should plan to be in attendance at all times during the proceedings." "Plan to be" not "must be". Similarly, the guidelines state that "Members should refrain from talking to neighboring Senators while the case is being presented" -- should, not must. And continuing along those same lines: "Reading materials should be confined to only those readings which pertain to the matter before the Senate" -- again, "should" not "must."
Even where it is stated that a restriction will be "strictly enforced," the language used leaves the door open:
"During the impeachment proceedings, standing will not be permitted on the floor and this requirement
will be strictly enforced. Accordingly, all Senators are requested to remain in their seats at all times they
are on the Senate floor during the impeachment proceedings" -- "requested" not "required".
As indicated, these decorum guidelines were not adopted by the Senate Republicans over the objections of Senate Democrats. They were simply agreed to jointly by McConnell and Schumer.
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