The Senate blocked two nominations during a rare Saturday session after Republican Party absences left Republicans unable to confirm President Trump
Donald Trump Senators reach agreement on Fed powers, paving the way for the passage of coronavirus relief Nearly 200 organizations allegedly hacked by Russia: cybersecurity firm Trump appointed Sidney Powell as special attorney for election fraud investigation: reports MOREthe options.
The Senate rejected both the nomination of Eric Soskin as inspector general of the Department of Transportation (GI) and the nomination of John Johnson to be the GI of the Federal Communications Commission.
Both candidates did not get the majority needed to overcome an initial procedural hurdle by 39-48 consecutive votes.
The setbacks came after the Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell
Addison (Mitch) Mitchell McConnell Senators reach agreement on Fed powers, setting the stage for coronavirus relief passage The agreement on coronavirus relief depends on talks over the borrowing powers of the Fed. Fed (R-Ky.) He added seven nominations, one of which was approved Friday, for the weekend session as talks about the coronavirus dragged on.
But 13 senators: 12 Republicans and an elected vice president Kamala Harris
GOP Senate absences Kamala Harris attack candidates Trump Pressley believes Georgia GOP candidates are the Bonnie and Clyde of corruption., a California Democrat, lost Saturday’s vote, leaving the Republican Party leadership unable to achieve the simple majority needed to confirm nominations to the Democratic opposition.
“We don’t have 12 Republicans here, so we’re going to lose all those votes … All I can say is that I hope they have a good weekend,” the senator said. Josh Hawley
Joshua (Josh) David Hawley Senators reach agreement on Fed powers, setting the stage for the coronavirus relief passage The coronavirus relief agreement depends on talks about the Fed’s credit powers Fed GOP absences in Senate capture Trump nominees (R-Mo) they told reporters.
His. Roger Wicker
Roger Frederick Wicker: Former Mississippi Gov. William Winter dies in 97 GOP absences from Senate, attested by Trump candidates, College Athlete Rights Bill would require revenue sharing and cover medical expenses MONTH (R-Miss.) He noted that while some of the closed votes failed, others scheduled for Saturday, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) nominations, could be approved.
Despite the Republican Party’s absences, the Senate confirmed its first nomination of the day: Thompson Dietz will be a judge on the U.S. Federal Claims Court.
“There’s another closing vote that can fail, and then there are some VAT votes that can happen,” Wicker said.
He added that Johnson’s nomination was approved by committee unanimously, “but it was a different time.”
The Republican-controlled Senate has rarely rejected Trump’s candidates, and Republicans have continued to have confirmation votes, including lifelong judicial appointments, after the loss of Trump’s election.
McConnell previously warned senators they expected to be in session over the weekend.
On Saturday, the Republican Party leader changed his votes to “no” in the failed candidacies, a procedural move that allows him to re-choose elections in the future.
Wicker said he was meeting with senators on the floor about the votes.
“There was‘ a discussion about some nomination votes going down today because we have 12 absences, so we will have to make motions to reconsider them and try to resurrect them, ”he said.
The Senate is holding a rare weekend session as the leadership tries to close a broad year-end package that would link $ 900 billion in coronavirus relief to $ 1.4 trillion to fund the government.
The leadership hopes to reach an agreement and submit files early Saturday evening, allowing votes in the House on Sunday and the Senate early next week.
But senators continue to haggle over a senator’s disposition. Pat Toomey
Patrick (Pat) Joseph Toomey The government used the Patriot Act to gather records of website visitors in 2019 The appeals court rules that the massive collection of phone data from the illegal NSA Dunford is removed from consideration to chair the MORE coronavirus monitoring panel (R-Pa.) To code the end of a federal emergency loan facility created under the March CARES Act. The language would also prevent the incoming Biden administration from recreating a similar program.
Democrats argue that its wording would also eliminate the Federal Reserve’s emergency powers that existed before the CARES Act. Republicans argue that this is not the intent of the provision.
Saturday’s senators could be seen in intense negotiations in the chamber during votes on candidacies trying to resolve the issue as time ran out.
“It looks like they will both step back and draft their proposals. But it looks like both sides are trying to get where they need to be,” the senator said. John Cornyn
John Cornyn: The coronavirus relief agreement depends on talks about the Fed’s credit powers. Senate absences from the GOP attack Trump candidates. Congress passes law to prevent closure as coronavirus talks drag on over weekend MORE (R-Texas).