Topic: Senate Vote

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer is pushing to change the filibuster rule to pass new voting rights legislation, linking the move to "healing the damage" of January 6th. However, Senator Joe Manchin has reiterated his opposition to the change, citing concerns about the long-term consequences when party control shifts. The move is seen by some as a desperate attempt to secure legislative wins before the midterm elections.

The discussion covers the perceived delay tactics used by House Democrats, alleging that elements of the Green New Deal were inserted into early drafts of the relief bill. Following a 96-0 Senate vote, the hosts examine the logistical challenges of the House passing the bill, including the possibility of proxy voting or unanimous consent while members are away from Washington.

Following the Senate's vote against calling new witnesses in the impeachment trial, liberal commentators express despair over the state of American democracy. A "LibDev" post titled "Epitaph for America" compares the U.S. government to a Russian-style autocracy. The hosts discuss the deepening partisan divide and the perception of a "dimensional rift" in political reality.

Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was admitted to Johns Hopkins Hospital with chills and a fever, sparking concerns about a potential Supreme Court vacancy. The hosts discuss a Washington Post article suggesting a "secret vote" strategy in the Senate to remove Trump, though they dismiss it as clickbait.

Despite their vocal support for climate action, no Democrats voted "yes" on the Green New Deal resolution; instead, most voted "present." This tactical move allowed them to avoid a definitive stance on the record while criticizing the voting process. Critics argue this proves the resolution's supporters are "blowhards" who lack the courage of their convictions.

The confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court is analyzed following Senator Lisa Murkowski's decision to vote "present." Murkowski's choice was intended to balance the absence of a Republican colleague attending his daughter's wedding. Criticism is directed at Kavanaugh's past support for the Patriot Act and his Yale-Bush political lineage.

The FBI's seventh background investigation into Brett Kavanaugh is described as an investigative tool rather than a criminal inquiry, meaning polygraph results will not be used as formal evidence. Attorney Deborah Katz, representing Dr. Ford, pushes for an investigation with no artificial limits on time or scope, opposing the one-week deadline. This procedural delay is viewed as a strategy to influence the upcoming midterm elections while deepening national divisions.

Hillary Clinton addressed her 2002 Senate vote to authorize the Iraq War, labeling it a "mistake, plain and simple." This admission comes as the Iraq invasion resurfaces as a primary campaign issue for both Democratic and Republican candidates. The statement is viewed as a strategic move to distance herself from the conflict's fallout ahead of the 2016 presidential election.

The U.S. Senate voted 100-0 to reconfirm FBI Director Robert Mueller for a two-year extension, bypassing the established 10-year term limit. The unanimous vote, which included Senator Rand Paul, is cited as evidence of Mueller's immense influence and the lack of political opposition to his continued leadership.