Republicans used a procedural move Wednesday to halt hearings in the Senate and force Democrats to vote on a series of politically dicey matters relating to the health care “fixes” sent over by the House this week.
Senate Republicans said they would insist that no committee meet after 11 a.m., two hours after the Senate gaveled in on Wednesday. The objection was used as part of the “two-hour rule,” a formality that requires unanimous consent for the Senate to meet two hours after the chamber has come into session.
To start a hearing beyond that time now will require the approval of all 100 senators.
A series of afternoon hearings were canceled as a result, with Senate Judiciary Committee Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., railing against Republicans for action that results in the delay of a hearing on a controversial judicial nominee, Goodwin Liu.
Full story: Republicans use objections to stall Senate hearings, force votes on health care ‘fixes’ – Fox News