McConnell Smooths Path As He Prepares To Break Glass On Nuclear Option

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., talks with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell of Ky., talks with the media after Senate Republicans met with President Donald Trump on Capitol Hill, Tuesday, Nov. 28, 2017, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)
Start your day with TPM.
Sign up for the Morning Memo newsletter

The breakneck speed with which Sen. Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) has shepherded Trump-friendly judges through the confirmation process is apparently not enough — according to Politico, McConnell is clearing the way to smash the glass on the new nuclear option.

McConnell wants to change the rules so that lower-court nominees can be confirmed by a simple majority vote, an easy way to circumvent Democratic obstinance.

Per Politico, Republicans think they have the 50 votes for the nuclear option but would prefer party unity. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) was reportedly on the Senate floor trying to woo moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday.

Latest News
104
Show Comments

Notable Replies

  1. RIP legislative fillibuster

  2. We can be certain Collins will express her concern before bowing to McConnell’s wishes.

  3. Sen. James Lankford (R-OK) was reportedly on the Senate floor trying to woo moderate Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) on Tuesday.

    Why did the hairs on the back of my neck go up on this info? I’m guessing nausea…

  4. Can we please stop calling Susan Collins a moderate?

  5. Beat me to it!

    Eeeeeeeeeeeeeewwwwwwwwwww

Continue the discussion at forums.talkingpointsmemo.com

98 more replies

Participants

Avatar for david_e_brown Avatar for paulw Avatar for someguy Avatar for pluckyinky Avatar for commiedearest Avatar for thepsyker Avatar for ralph_vonholst Avatar for nemo Avatar for dsfinley Avatar for hjs62 Avatar for katwillow Avatar for tena Avatar for misterneutron Avatar for georgeh Avatar for bankerpup Avatar for maximus Avatar for qwerty23 Avatar for redhand Avatar for spacesaver Avatar for iamsmall Avatar for zlj2011 Avatar for outis Avatar for anothertpmreader Avatar for emiliano4

Continue Discussion
Masthead Masthead
Founder & Editor-in-Chief:
Executive Editor:
Managing Editor:
Deputy Editor:
Editor at Large:
General Counsel:
Publisher:
Head of Product:
Director of Technology:
Associate Publisher:
Front End Developer:
Senior Designer: