Mitch McConnell tells Elizabeth Warren (and Coretta Scott King) to sit down and shut up

Daily Kos Staff

Tuesday February 07, 2017 · 6:13 PM PST

2017/02/07 · 18:13

PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 25: Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) delivers remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) — Sen. Elizabeth Warren

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell silenced Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) on the Senate floor in the debate over the nomination of Jeff Sessions to be attorney general. Warren was reading a portion of Coretta Scott King's letter to the Judiciary Committee from 1986, when Sessions was up for a federal judgeship, which he was denied because he was too much of a goddamned racist.

Warren responded to McConnell’s objection incredulously: "Mr. President, I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States senate. I ask leave of the senate to continue my remarks." "Object."

YouTube Video

As if trying to shut up Warren will work:

I will not be silent about a nominee for AG who has made derogatory & racist comments that have no place in our justice system.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

I will not be silent while the Republicans rubber stamp an AG who will never stand up to the @POTUS when he breaks the law.
— Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

McConnell is using Senate Rule 19 against Warren, a rarely used means of censuring—and trying to silence—a colleague. The rule says senators are not allowed to “directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator." She was reading someone else's words at the time, in fact not just Scott King's, but also the late Sen. Ted Kennedy, quoting his statement that "referred to Sessions as a 'throwback to a shameful era' and a 'disgrace' to the Justice Department."

Stupid move, McConnell. You take on one the lightening rods of the resistance—Elizabeth Warren? And Coretta Scott King? Over the nomination of this "throwback to a shameful era"? You will rue this day. And you are reminding the whole world that Scott King says Sessions is a racist. Let's just put the words that McConnell is trying to suppress out there again, where everyone can see them.

I write to express my sincere opposition to the confirmation of Jefferson B. Sessions as a federal disctrict court judge for the Southern District of Alabama. My professional and personal roots in Alabama are deep and lasting. Anyone who has used the power of his office as United States Attorney to intimidate and chill the free exercise of the ballot by citizens should not be elevated to our courts. Mr. Sessions has used the awesome powers of his offie in a shabby attempt to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters. For this reprehensible conduct, he should not be rewarded with a federal judgeship.

I regret that a long-standing commitment prevents me from appearing in person to testify against this nominee. However, I have attached a copy of my statement opposing Mr. Sessions confirmation and I request that my statement as well as this letter be made a party of the hearing record.

I do sincerely urge you to oppose the confirmation of Mr. Sessions.

Sincerely, Coretta Scott King

How about we let McConnell know how we feel about this? Here are his D.C. and Kentucky office numbers:

(202) 224-2541
(270) 781-1673
(502) 582-6304
(859) 224-8286
(606) 864-2026
(859) 578-0188
(270) 442-4554

Mitch McConnell tells Elizabeth Warren (and Coretta Scott King) to sit down and shut up

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