Schumer, in rare move, takes control of floor to force health care vote

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

(CNN)Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, in an extremely rare move Tuesday, took control of the Senate floor and is forcing a procedural vote on a bill, a step that is typically done only by the Senate majority leader.

The top Democrat's action now sets up a vote later this week related to a bill that would protect people with pre-existing conditions if the Supreme Court sides with the Trump administration's Department of Justice and strikes down the Affordable Care Act after arguments are heard in November.

Schumer's surprise steps were extraordinary because such motions are typically offered by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell who controls the Senate and dictates what gets considered on the floor. Schumer has never before tried to force such a cloture vote in his time as the top minority leader, aides said.

The rules say any senator can do what Schumer did Tuesday but senators typically don't take these extreme steps because doing so regularly would shut down the Senate.


Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/29/politics/chuck-schumer-forces-health-care-vote/index.html

[dweller]

1. so can we do this daily ?

and shut down the Senate daily?

✌🏼

[lagomorph777]

23. Wait, what? Why is THIS not the plan now?

C'mon Chuck! You've been holding out on us?

[NYC Liberal]

2. "doing so regularly would shut down the Senate"

Sounds like we need to be doing it regularly then.

[padfun]

3. Actually, shutting down the Senate sounds like a good idea

until the next senate takes over.

[ancianita]

7. Yeah, let's do a cloture vote every day until Jan 20 2021.

[mjvpi]

4. I fourth the motion

[Bev54]

5. Why didn't he do this a long time ago? n/t

[BigmanPigman]

6. Call the Senate [phone]

Encourage the Dems and tell the GOP that they won't get reelected if they don't support the ACA!

[wnylib]

17. Hmm. My Senator IS Schumer.

I can tell him to keep up the good work.

[BigmanPigman]

20. Yes, and thank him for all of us!

[SergeStorms]

8. Good. Shut down the Senate.

Trump won't get his handmaiden SC judge, and it's not like McConnell wants to do anything but seat judges anyway. It's time to start fucking with republican Senators BIGLY!

[ffr]

11. ! Excactly!

Make us proud!

[DallasNE]

12. They Could Do That To Name Post Office Buildings

Start off by naming one for Hillary Clinton and then go from there.

[lagomorph777]

24. I propose we start with the Old Post Office in DC; currently has "Trump Hotel" plastered on it.

[Roy Rolling]

9. What?!

If the Senate has multiple cloture votes, it will delay the Supreme Court nominee hearings.

Damn shame.

[scarletwoman]

10. So, Schumer - or any other Dem Senator - have had the ability to do this all along???

WTF!?!?

Then why the hell haven't they been using that particular power instead of spending all these years getting rolled by McConnell and the Republicans???

Seems like this is exactly the kind of hardball that's been needed for some time. Yes, by all means "shut down the Senate" - I fail to see a downside at this point.

[lastlib]

22. The time to do this is after SC nomination has cleared the Judiciary Committee

eom

[moonscape]

30. Is that now what McConnell will be doing to us after January?

Not saying I'm not in favor, but McConnell is obviously far more ruthless than we are.

We have so much to get done

[Igel]

34. That's what people seem to be saying is an okay practice.

Of course, the only proper thing to do would be to use it now, and then in January change the rules.

[calimary]

13. Why have you not gone to extremes like this before now, Schumer?

So sick of you pulling your punches, talking a good game and then doing nothing to back it up.

I want you to fight dirty. Fight like a republi-CON. They get it done. It's always all the wrong stuff. But they sure do make it happen.

[BlueNProud]

28. Exactly We need a partisan rattfu**er right now not a technocrat

[calimary]

31. I want somebody who fights dirty like the bad guys do.

Besides, the bad guys won’t be expecting that behavior. It might knock them off their guard. It’s uncharacteristic behavior and they’ll be prepared for more mushmouth and what passes for alleged backbones.

No fight will EVER be “fair” as long as only one side plays by rules and the other refuses to. The playing field MUST be level for a true, legitimate “fair fight.” And under the present conditions, seems to me, the only way to level the playing field is for OUR side to get tough, sneaky, and ruthless. Just like THEY do.

[BadgerMom]

14. More of this, please.

[SeattleVet]

15. "doing so regularly would shut down the Senate"

They say that like it's a bad thing.

[proud patriot]

16. The first of many I hope

[ALBliberal]

18. The only "work" the senate gets done on a typical day is

voting on federal judges. Rarely is there any other business (not any stimulus package at this time). Shut it down every damn day.

[BumRushDaShow]

19. Extreme times require extreme measures

All manner of decorum and respect has been eliminated by Turtle and if there are "rules" that are available to use, then dammit, use them!

[George II]

21. He may have done it to se a "precedent" for the remainder of the time before the election....

And has others lined up to do likewise to delay a vote on Barrett.

If true, that's a wise move.

[bluestarone]

25. WOW! i hope THIS is our answer!

Please continue!!!

[Hotler]

27. If Chuck as been holding back, Nancy has been holding back.

I we come out on top this election, we need new leaders in the House and the Senate. We need a lot more bark and a lot more bite out of our leaders.

[AKing]

29. Schumer needs only to ask himself one question before on embarking on this regularly...

In a similar situation would Moscow Mitch....use the same tactic?

You may now proceed Senator Schumer with a clear conscience.

[Pluvious]

32. If these aren't desperate times calling for desperate measures, then what is ?

This is kinna like the final play, the hail Mary pass, the blow the bridges out behind us ?

The future isn't looking bright, just very very murky.

[Politicub]

33. Shut down the senate, you say?

Hmmm.... the mind boggles as the possibilities.

[WhiteTara]

35. Good job Chuck!

Now keep up the pressure. You succeeded once so now you know how to do it! Do it every day!