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I don’t think U.S. senators make that much money.
— Iowa U.S. Senate candidate Mark Jacobs (R), quoted by NBC News, on whether he would forgo his Senate salary if he wins the office.
6
Number of Senate Republicans who switched from ‘nay’ to ‘aye’ on the critical vote allowing the nation’s debt limit to be extended, a copy of the official Senate vote tally sheet provided to Roll Call suggests. “The tally sheet is the only record of which senators may have switched their votes because the Senate clerk — in a break with tradition — didn’t name names during the nearly hourlong vote. Capitol Hill reporters are protesting that change, still within the rules, as lacking transparency.”
56 to 38
U.S. Senate vote to confirm Washington lawyer Patricia Millett to serve on a powerful U.S. appeals court — the first Obama administration nominee to receive approval since Democrats last month changed Senate rules to eliminate filibusters on most nominations, the Wall Street Journal reports.
We have a disability right now — it’s called in the Senate ’55 of them and 45 of us.’ I’m not great at math, but 55 is more than 45.
— Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), in an interview with Peggy Noonan, on the GOP’s inability to repeal Obamacare.
Increasingly we are seeing more members, in both chambers and both parties, leadership as well as rank and file, who seem to have little sense of customs, traditions, and responsibilities of the institutions that they have been given the honor or privilege to serve. We are seeing more and more behavior and tactics that truly bring disgrace on the institution. Much of the same can be said about this White House as well …. There is nothing new about divided government; it has been the rule more than the exception for much of modern history. But how it is handled has changed — we aren’t seeing adult behavior from any of the three corners of this House-Senate-White House triumvirate.
— Pundit Charlie Cook.
6
The median years of service in the U.S. Senate, which “has plummeted from 11 to six in the past four years, because so many newcomers have replaced Senate icons, according to the Roll Call Blog. In the House, 46% of House members have completed fewer than three terms, “a generally accepted benchmark for being labeled a ‘junior member.'”
I would think she would want to at least speak briefly to the new head of the Alaska Republican Party. But no, never met the lady. Never spoken to her. I have seen her once.
— Alaska Republican Party Chair Peter Goldberg, on Sarah Palin’s announcement that she is considering a U.S. Senate run, Alaska Public Media reports.
65%
Of Americans say the U.S. Senate should have passed the measure that would have expanded background checks for gun purchases,a new Gallup Poll finds, while 29% agree with the Senate’s failure to pass the measure.
47%
Of Americans express negative feelings about the Senate vote that halted gun control legislation last week, while 39% have a positive reaction to the Senate’s rejection of gun control legislation that included background checks on gun purchases, according to Pew. Overall, 15% say they are angry the legislation was voted down and 32% say they are disappointed, while 20% say are very happy the legislation was blocked and 19% say they are relieved.
I just don’t want to die with my boots on.
— Sen. Max Baucus (D-MT), quoted by the Billings Gazette, explaining his decision to retire in 2014 and not run for re-election.
