NPR - February 8, 2017 - Republicans Vote To Silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren In Confirmation Debate
On Tuesday night, between February 7 and 8, 2017, Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) was silenced and prevented from participating further in the confirmation debate for Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) as the next United States Attorney General. Her sin was a violation of Rule XIX, in this case "impugn[ing] the motives and conduct of our colleague from Alabama" according to Senator Mitch McConnell (R-KY).
In his comments, McConnell incorrectly cited Warren quoting from a letter by Coretta Scott King (though she did also do that during her remarks) written during Sessions' failed confirmation hearing to become a federal district court judge.
Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) admonished Warren "you stated that a sitting senator is a disgrace to the Department of Justice." In audio from her floor remarks, Warren is clearly heard to reply that the comment seemed to have been made not by King, but by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy — whom she also quoted — "although I would be glad to repeat it in my own words," she added.
Warren later observed "So, quoting Sen. Kennedy calling then-nominee Sessions a disgrace is a violation of Senate rules? It was certainly not in 1986."
That would be correct, Senator Warren. At the time Senator Kennedy made his disparaging remarks about then U.S. Attorney Jeff Sessions, Mr. Sessions was not a Senator.
Rule XIX.2.: No Senator in debate shall, 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.
The fact that McConnell misspoke when he rose to invoke Rule XIX and cited Mrs. Kings letter provided an opening for much of the print, audio, and video media to report inaccurately that Warren was silenced for quoting the words of Coretta Scott King on the floor of the United States Senate. The fact the story is totally false is not relevant to those who wish to seize upon any opportunity to malign the character and intentions of the Republican Party and those who support them. If a lie is told loudly enough and often enough, eventually few if any will question its veracity.
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