Senate Democrats block the vote on three key positions in President Trump cabinets of health and human services secretary, treasury secretary and attorney general. Republicans criticized the boycott as partisan and obstructionist move.
Democrats in Senate escalate their opposite stance against President Trump by boycotting the hearing in the Senate committee for three important positions. At first, the Democrats boycotted the vote on Tom Price for secretary of health and human services and Steve Mnuchin for secretary of treasury on Tuesday, Jan. 31. Later on, as reported by Washington Post, they blocked the vote on Jeff Sessions for attorney general.
Republican senator blasted the move of the Democrats, calling the move as partisan and obstructionist. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnel (R-Ky) reminded the Democrats in Senate to move on and accept the fact that they have lost the presidential election.
“The president is entitled to have his Cabinet appointments considered,” Senator McConnell said in response to boycott from the Democrats. “None of this is going to lead to a different outcome.”
Other Republican senator Orrin Hatch from Utah said that the Democrats action to boycott the hearing and vote on the key cabinet position is the worst. The Finance Committee Chairman said the action as the most pathetic treatment he has ever seen in his 40 years in the United States Senate. Senator Orrin had been the member of U.S. Senate since 1977.
Democrats argued that both candidates did not reveal true fact about their business activities as reported by New York Post. They accused Price had lied about his personal stock purchases, and Mnuchin had not told the truth about his role in the bank which he was working for.
Senator Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) said the candidates had misled the public and withheld the important information regarding their backgrounds. The top Democrat which is also member of the Finance Committee said that Price and Mnuchin had to answer the question about their background. Watch the report from Associated Press regarding Senate Dems boycott on confirmation votes for PResident Trump cabinet members below:
