If Menendez resigned, would not the NJ Gov appoint another D Senator? Right now, Menendez is the face of Democratic Senate corruption. How does that help Democratic goals?
Not everything in the senate is decided on by a simple majority vote. Committee work decides what goes to vote, approves important nominations, etc (i.e why Tuberville is able to cause so much chaos)
while I agree with the sentiment, you seem to lack awareness of the rules of the Senate, and awareness of recent history (if we'd gotten DiFi to resign but then McConnell declined to allow any replacement Dem to be seated on committees, all progress would've halted). These can be remedied.
No wonder so many Americans, including Dems, despise so much about US politics. And yet this is what we are stuck with because it's impossible to change the Constitution and virtually impossible to change Senate rules. This is exactly the situation Dark Money thrives in.
You’re correct - if Menendez is ousted his spot on important committees stays vacant, effectively giving McConnell a way to block legislation on those committees (see Tuberville). Because nothing goes to the floor B4 it goes through committee & BC Mitch won’t allow a replacement we’re screwed.
Because Democrats barely have a majority in the Senate, loosing even one member on a committee, effectively brings things to a standstill. Further if a Democrat dies or is incapacitated (Feinstein), or dies, there goes the Democratic majority. There are no good options.
That’s my question. Kicking him out won’t change the composition of the senate. Leaving him in place could. How does this guy still have his security clearance?
as other replies say: what if that happens, and then McConnell refuses to let the new appointee be seated on committees? Are some tied now? Do Rs have a majority? Now the work of Senate Committees is all messed up, and that's crucial. McC could help. But why would he?
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One way to prevent Menendez from flipping is by avoiding antagonizing him.