In case you missed it…
Alejandro Mayorkas had the high honor yesterday of being the first Biden nominee to get filibustered (though probably not the last), and to have a successful cloture vote. A group of senators led by John Cornyn were filibustering the nomination because they wanted additional hearings by the Judiciary Committee about Mayorkas’ stances on immigration, even though the Homeland Security Committee gave him the nod with a 7-4 vote on Tuesday. The cloture vote was 55-42, with 3 not voting. The confirmation vote is now scheduled for Monday.
Joining 49 Democrats, (Warner of VA not voting), were Collins (R-ME), Murkowski (R-AK), and Romney (R-UT). Three new additions to the reasonableness coalition were Sullivan (R-AK), Capito (R-WV), and Portman (RetiringSoon-OH).
I guess it’s no surprise that at least 42 Republicans wanted to thwart a Biden nominee. Thanks to Harry Reid for eliminating the 60-vote rule on executive branch appointments in 2013.
Also, has anyone heard anything new about the organizing resolution? McConnell supposedly “caved,” but there hasn’t been a vote on it. All I could find is that it’s still being crafted: in the meantime, it looks like Rs are still chairing committees, including Ron Johnson (LowIQ-WI) at Homeland Security. Hopefully they’ll have that taken care of in the next week or so.
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An FYI Update: Senator Warner didn’t vote because he is in quarantine after being exposed to someone who has tested positive for the coronavirus. Unlike in the House, there is no remote voting for Senators.
Which reminds me of something else. Senator Leahy voted, so he is back at work after his brief hospital visit.