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onenote

(44,922 posts)
24. The "rules" are really "guidelines" and are intentionally wish-washy
Thu Jan 23, 2020, 10:43 AM
Jan 2020

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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About this Senate jury... [View all] yellerpup Jan 2020 OP
I agree 100% Ohiogal Jan 2020 #1
Fair is fair! yellerpup Jan 2020 #7
I know it wasn't possible but, Sherman A1 Jan 2020 #2
Kind of a dream come true yellerpup Jan 2020 #6
They are not a "jury" and this isn't a judicial trial onenote Jan 2020 #3
Thanks for that, onenote. yellerpup Jan 2020 #4
They haven't in this instance. onenote Jan 2020 #8
Would the court hold that they could vote without treestar Jan 2020 #5
It's entirely possible that the Court would find the question nonjusticiable onenote Jan 2020 #9
What rationale could they give for that? treestar Jan 2020 #16
Whatever rationale or rationales or lack thereof subscribed to by five justices onenote Jan 2020 #23
Constitution says "two thirds of the members present" to convict Hermit-The-Prog Jan 2020 #32
It would be tough to write, with a straight face treestar Jan 2020 #35
If they are present, they can vote Coleman Jan 2020 #12
My understanding was that the Republicans in the Senate had established the rules for the trial. Arkansas Granny Jan 2020 #15
The "rules" are really "guidelines" and are intentionally wish-washy onenote Jan 2020 #24
This was a rule that was covered by the media Bayard Jan 2020 #28
The media mischaracterized it. onenote Jan 2020 #34
There should be a little device on their seats . mainstreetonce Jan 2020 #10
Good suggestion. yellerpup Jan 2020 #18
Roberts has no authority to make such a ruling. onenote Jan 2020 #25
Chief Justice Roberts isn't doing his job - he's slacking off dlk Jan 2020 #11
I was hoping for better from CJ Roberts. yellerpup Jan 2020 #19
I've never been a fan and am, sadly, not surprised dlk Jan 2020 #21
You were expecting him to do things he isn't required or allowed to do. onenote Jan 2020 #26
Who? ConstanceCee Jan 2020 #13
I'm sure we could. yellerpup Jan 2020 #20
If the rules say you may not leave and they do, they have just broken the rules. FM123 Jan 2020 #14
Breaking the rules should lead to consequences. yellerpup Jan 2020 #17
Republicans have shown the rules are only for the other guy & for suckers dlk Jan 2020 #22
See post 24: Guidelines, not rules. And wishy-washy at that. onenote Jan 2020 #27
My best hope is that our Speaker is not at all surprised at this point, and empedocles Jan 2020 #29
I am confident our Speaker is prepared. yellerpup Jan 2020 #31
Ya beat me to it: Since when are "jurors" allowed to miss trial sessions?! UTUSN Jan 2020 #30
It puzzles me how this can go unnoticed. yellerpup Jan 2020 #33
Latest Discussions»General Discussion»About this Senate jury...»Reply #24