McConnell cancels most of August recess
I was hoping that would happen, and it will (at least, that’s the announced plan at the moment).
Mitch McConnell is canceling all but a week of the Senate’s traditional August recess, hoping to keep vulnerable Democrats off the campaign trail and confirm as many of President Donald Trump’s judicial and executive branch nominees as possible.
The Senate majority leader said Tuesday that the Senate will only take a break for the first week of August because of “historic obstruction” by Senate Democrats and will stay in session the rest of the month. McConnell was under enormous pressure from his own caucus as well as the president to cancel as much of the recess as possible, but the majority leader also saw an opportunity to unite Republicans and annoy incumbent Democrats.
Republicans in Congress had the opportunity to accomplish a lot more than they’ve managed to do since they took office at the beginning of 2017. Part of this is the natural tendency of Congress, part of it is that scare-quoted “historic obstruction” by Democrats, and part is the classic foot-dragging for which the GOP is known.
If the predicted and then not-so-predicted Congressional blue wave does occur in November, at least the judiciary will have been tilted somewhat to the right as compared with the Obama years. Judicial appointments tend to have a long life.
This is all on Schumer.
From the looks of the recent polls it appears that the ‘predicted blue wave’ was more democrat wishing than reality. It could also be the positions the dems have taken over the past year and a half.
I noticed that the Senators are being given a “state-work” week to be able to meet with their fellow citizens to get their opinions and then return to DC.
I wonder how many will spend the time fundraising and campaigning? I’ll be checking on my Senators’ schedules. Actually, they are good about sending emails describing what activities they have during “recess” times. But, they are both Rs.
Although MM has been a disappointment at times, he did stonewall the Garland nomination and in other situations stood fast. Limiting the August recess is a good thing. Pushing through judicial appointments should be a top priority. As far as the ‘blue wave’ is concerned, the idea that the left will gain a senate majority is laughable. As far as the House is concerned it might be a squeeker, but IMO it is against the wind that the left gains a majority.
Good news.
“McConnell was under enormous pressure …”
Why does it take enormous pressure to do what seems to be the right thing? Imagine what could be accomplished if the leadership pushed for stuff like this, on its own; rather than being obstructionists. Like actual leaders! Or maybe, like actual Republicans. And what is their motivation for being obstructionists??
It is long, long past time for this guy to leave the leadership.