The top-level post uses a gift link with a view count limit. When it runs out, an archived copy of the article is available. I’ll note that the article has been substantially expanded since initial publication, and the archived copy captures the expanded version, and not the as-initially-published version.
To summarize, what’s going on is that while many nominations only require 50 votes to end debate, diplomatic posts have generally relied on unanimous consent to end debate, and Senator Brian Schatz has announced that he will not be agreeing to unanimous consent on any of them, forcing a day or two debate in order to get them confirmed. Since the US has an ambassador to almost every country in the world, debating them all means spending a year or so doing ambassadorial confirmations, which is completely impractical, and unlikely to actually happen.
Isn’t that the bare minimum anyone in government should be doing right now?
It is, but this is the first of the Democratic Senators to actually start doing it, probably in response to constituent pressure.
Yes. The real thing to watch for is which Dem gets the job of disavowing this guy for being divisive and unrealistic.
Should be but they keep voting Republican initiatives in and vote to confirm absolutely dogshit and fascist candidate in.
No, it’s even less than that.
He better. And if Trump gives in, he better not stop, and just keep making more demand. We gotta learn from Republicans, this isn’t a game, win then throw a fit and demand more.
Thank fuck one of these pussies finally does something a Republican would have been doing from the get go.
Call your representatives and tell them to push back! I know many won’t listen, but don’t let that stop you.
If it’s like mine, their main DC phone numbers is perpetually saturated, and the voicemail is full. You need to be looking up district offices and calling those, or better yet, showing up in-person with a bunch of other people
Edit: Per Senator Markey, there are now technical problems with the Senate phone system:
We are aware that phones are experiencing technical issues across the U.S. Senate system. Please bear with us as we work to quickly address the issue and get our phones back online.
Makes showing up in-person at district offices incredibly important.
Show up in person and explain exactly what you want to see from them, and why it would benefit them. Then let them talk to the next person, who does the same. Make sure your representatives hear the same message again, and again, until it’s easier for them to do what you’re asking than not.
their main DC phone numbers is perpetually saturated
5calls.org will list the local regional office numbers as well. Agreed that if you can show up in person, that’s best.
Is this the only 1 with a spine?
A lot of them are developing a bit of one, he was just the first to respond like this to constituent pressure.
This is the thing? The CIA front getting defunded? Not any of the other thousand things? OK.
There’s an avian flu epidemic forcing the culling of birds. Should we save the CDC/USDA/FDA? Nah, silence from the democratic party.
There have been terrible airplane accidents. Should we get more staff for ATC and make sure the FAA has a director in a time of crisis? Nah, silence
Should we allow anti-intellectuals and political agents police the language of science? Should we stop them from purging completed projects and scholarly papers? Nah, silence
Should we do something about a madman firing 12 inspector generals without following process? Nah, silence
Anything to protect career civil servants, keeping our government running and providing services to the people? Nah, silence.
But the CIA front is where we draw the line.
they are paid not to care.
