Some Comments About the United States Senate

As you might already know if you regularly read this blog, I am an avid fan of the United States Senate floor proceedings, broadcast live on C-Span2 (Cox Channel 81 in Gainesville). The United States Senate "usually" convenes on Monday at 3 pm and Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday at 9:30 or 10 am...not a lot of action for a body that complains of not having enough time to do all its work. At the opening of each session is a prayer, thoughtfully and reverently delivered usually by Senate Chaplain Barry Black, followed by the Pledge to the Flag and an opening statement by the Majority Leader, usually later followed by the Minority Leader and/or assistant leaders.  It is these speeches that I tune in to hear, for they reflect to a great degree what the two major parties are up to with their visions and agendas.  Later today, for example they will hold a floor vote...doubtlessly split along party lines...that will drastically reduce the debate time before final confirmation vote for the President's nominees that are not for the Supreme Court or Cabinet-level positions, going from 30 hours to only 2.  I support this move as far as departmental bureaucratic leadership positions are concerned since they are pertinent only to the ongoing administration.  But for lifetime positions on the Federal Court, prospective judges should receive greater time and scrutiny as once they are confirmed they will wield enormous power over all Americans...and that should concern you regardless of your political orientation.  It's even more imperative to have more time to look at and discuss their records because after then-Majority Leader Harry Reid (a Democrat) got rid of the 60-vote threshold in 2014 to end debate on this level of judicial nomination and the current Majority Leader, Mitch McConnell (a Republican) refuses to honor the Blue Slip tradition of both senators having to sign off on a nominee from their state before he or she can be considered, more ideologically and judicially extreme and less qualified candidates have a much easier time getting a simple majority to pass and be confirmed to their life-long posts.  But McConnell is determined to see this bill passed, and much like Reid's earlier mistake will probably see his adversary party, the Democrats, eventually take full advantage of the ill-advised change when they take back power, which is only a matter of time and probably sooner than the Majority Leader shortsightedly imagines...

The United States Senate's website, which you can access by click on the link US Senate, provides up-to-date information on all the senators and recent votes...as well as providing information about the sometimes curious way by which this body of Congress operates.  I wish more senators would make floor speeches about their views on different issues...if seems that most of the Senate's time is spent in quorum calls as the chamber is empty other than the Senate staff and the presiding officer...