Trump Cabinet confirmation hearings **live commentary thread**

[Mr. Morden]

Forgive me US Gen Discussion mods if this thread is considered unnecessary.  If you want to discuss the confirmation hearings in the “Trump transition” thread, feel free to merge.  But it seems like the confirmation hearings are a big enough deal on their own to merit their own thread.  I already started a thread on the 2020 board about the likely 2020 presidential candidates and how they’ll vote on confirmation, but this thread would be for up-to-the-minute discussion of the hearings themselves.  They start tomorrow morning:

http://www.cnn.com/2017/01/04/politics/when-are-the-cabinet-senate-confirmation-hearings/

[The Other Castro]

DeVos' hearing has been delayed until January 17.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Grassley is giving his opening remarks for the sessions hearing.

[Gass3268]

Khizr Khan, two DREAMers, and Al Sharpton are there as guests of Senate Democrats.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

Hearings are always horrible.  All each Senator wants to do is hear himself talk and see himself on TV later in the day.......they are all horrible.

[The Other Castro]

People in KKK robes and Code Pink people keep protesting inside the room and interrupting the hearing.

[Pandaguineapig]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

[Confused Democrat]

People in KKK robes and Code Pink people keep protesting inside the room and interrupting the hearing.

Good.

[Fusionmunster]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Sessions was getting confirmed regardless. Right now it's probably going to be a very slim margin for him though.

[Gass3268]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Every one of Trump's choices are going to get confirmed except possibility Tillerson.

[Pandaguineapig]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Sessions was getting confirmed regardless. Right now it's probably going to be a very slim margin for him though.

But this helps him look dignified and statesmanlike by comparison

[Confused Democrat]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Sessions was getting confirmed regardless. Right now it's probably going to be a very slim margin for him though.

But this helps him look dignified and statesmanlike by comparison

It makes him look controversial and unpopular. 

[Pandaguineapig]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Sessions was getting confirmed regardless. Right now it's probably going to be a very slim margin for him though.

But this helps him look dignified and statesmanlike by comparison

It makes him look controversial and unpopular. 

Lol im sure the screaming feminazis and kkk robes are winning over america as we speak

[Confused Democrat]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Sessions was getting confirmed regardless. Right now it's probably going to be a very slim margin for him though.

But this helps him look dignified and statesmanlike by comparison

It makes him look controversial and unpopular. 

Lol im sure the screaming feminazis and kkk robes are winning over america as we speak

Ignore them at your own peril. I thought the same thing about the tea party.

[Shadows]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Every one of Trump's choices are going to get confirmed except possibility Tillerson.

Mnuchin could seriously make it as well, they are bringing people who lost their lives & livelihood. There will be something in his financial statements which will cause problems for sure.

I think if Dems can get the 48 voting bloc, 3 votes can be received. McCain is a Glass Steagal guy (McCain-Feingold act). So if there's problem maybe you need 2 more. Maybe Graham.

And maybe Flake or Paul if there is a big conflict of interest problem. Same with Tillerson, if you get 48 votes, McCain & Graham could make it 50 & then you need only 1 more out of 50 GOP guy & I am sure there are some Russia hawks in there.

The EPA guy should have been target No.1 in a Dem Senate but not with Manchin & the GOP people.

Sessions will win 60+ votes, the guy served in the Senate with these people!

[Mr. Morden]

Protesters working hard to make sure sessions gets confirmed

Every one of Trump's choices are going to get confirmed except possibility Tillerson.

I'll be curious to see what the Dems do with Mattis.  While they can't filibuster any of the nominations directly, they can filibuster the waiver Mattis would need to be cleared for taking a Defense job, and Gillibrand says she's going to try to filibuster it.

But my guess is that enough Dems will choose not to go along that this won't be a problem.  Mattis just hasn't attracted as much controversy as the others.

[DavidB.]

Khizr Khan, two DREAMers, and Al Sharpton are there as guests of Senate Democrats.

LMAO! They still don't get it.

[Attorney General, LGC Speaker, and Former PPT Dwarven Dragon]

Can't believe that someone who voted against the Violence Against Women act will be our next Attorney General.

[Devout Centrist]

Can't believe that someone who voted against the Violence Against Women act will be our next Attorney General.

A guy who bragged about committing violence against women will be our President.

Once again, Americans get overestimated.

[Atlas Has Shrugged]

These shrieking purple haired chicks need to realize that heckling Congress never works.

[Devout Centrist]

These shrieking purple haired chicks need to realize that heckling Congress never works.

Joe Wilson sure got punished harshly *nod*

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Khizr Khan, two DREAMers, and Al Sharpton are there as guests of Senate Democrats.

LMAO! They still don't get it.

Sadly, you're right. Dems are dumb pt. 267373

[Gass3268]

Should be noted that one of the DREAMers is a War in Afghanistan vet.

[Grumpier Than Uncle Joe]

I love it when the Senate eats its own......glorious.

[Mr. Morden]

Updated hearing schedule:

https://qz.com/881104/nine-confirmation-hearings-one-trump-news-conference-and-obamas-farewell-a-guide-to-the-week-in-us-politics/