Friday, April 29, 2016
More Republican abuse of power
It could be said that almost all the Republican actions have been an abuse of power since the inauguration of Barack Obama. One thing is certain, it has now become as casual and accepted as racism was 100 years ago. One example is the nomination of the Secretary of the Army, a non controversial selection, that is being blocked by that paragon of pettiness, Pat Roberts of Kansas. And his reason? President Obama wants to close Guantanamo and Pat is scared shitless he might put some of those super-human terrist critters in Fort Leavenworth.
Arizona Sen. John McCain pleaded with a fellow Republican, Kansas Sen. Pat Roberts, on the Senate floor Thursday to withdraw his objection and allow a vote on Eric Fanning to be Secretary of the Army.It is to be noted that the Republicans have moved beyond using his being gay as a sticking point. But there is always some irrelevant point that the GOP can use to stop the proper functioning of government. And as Sen. McCain rightly puts, it is an abuse of power.
But Roberts wouldn’t budge, again citing his opposition to President Barack Obama’s proposal to close the Guantanamo Bay prison and transfer its detainees to U.S. sites, including, potentially, Fort Leavenworth in Kansas.
Roberts said the White House called him Thursday to try to work out a solution but wouldn’t promise to take Fort Leavenworth off the list.
Obama nominated Fanning in September, and McCain’s committee voted to confirm him last month. If confirmed by the full Senate, Fanning would be the first openly gay secretary of any branch of the military.
At times getting impatient with Roberts, McCain said Fanning was “eminently qualified” and that he had “nothing to do” with he president’s policy on Guantanamo.
McCain, a Navy veteran and former prisoner of war, said Roberts’ action was “not the appropriate use of senatorial privilege” and “a distortion” of the Senate’s duty to advise and consent.
“If we inaugurate a practice here of holding nominees over an issue that is not related to those nominees,” McCain said, “we are abusing our power and authority as United States senators.”
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