Ten Republican senators are taking a stand against the Biden administration by pledging to slow down Democrat bills and Biden nominees in response to former President Donald Trump’s conviction last week in New York.
Led by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT), the group criticizes the Biden administration for “making a mockery of the rule of law” and engaging in actions that have “fundamentally altered our politics in un-American ways.”
“As a Senate Republican conference, we are unwilling to aid and abet this White House in its project to tear this country apart,” the pledge states. “To that end, we will not: 1) allow any increase to non-security related funding for this administration, or any appropriations bill which funds partisan lawfare; 2) vote to confirm this administration’s political and judicial appointees; and 3) allow expedited consideration and passage of Democrat legislation or authorities that are not directly relevant to the safety of the American people.”
The pledge, which could cause significant headaches for Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), has been signed by Senators Mike Lee (R-UT), J.D. Vance (R-OH), Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Eric Schmitt (R-MO), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rick Scott (R-FL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Josh Hawley (R-MO), and Ron Johnson (R-WI).
Senator Lee has indicated that the letter remains open for additional signatures and encouraged other Republican senators to join the effort.
While the senators’ protest may not completely block action in the Democrat-controlled chamber, it could significantly slow down the legislative process. According to Politico, this response to Trump’s conviction and ongoing prosecution could force Schumer to deal with more procedural hurdles, particularly regarding nominations.
“So far this year, about half of non-military and non-Foreign Service nominees have been confirmed by voice vote, which requires agreement from all 100 senators and skips time-consuming procedural steps,” Politico reported. “Schumer could be forced to trudge through cloture votes and debate, eating up precious floor time that he might prefer to expend on election-year messaging bills.”
This move by Senate Republicans underscores their commitment to push back against what they see as a politically motivated prosecution of former President Trump and to hold the Biden administration accountable for its actions.
