by The Senate voted at 5:59pm EST to confirm Dr. Vivek Murthy as the next Surgeon General of the United States. The final vote was 51 in favor with 43 opposed and 6 not voting. The confirmation of Dr. Murthy could be called the triumph of the lame ducks.
In March, the nomination of Murthy was dead in the water. It was going nowhere because a number of red-state Democrats were up for re-election and knew voting for Murthy would have been the kiss of death.
From the New York Times on March 14th:
The nominee, Dr. Vivek H. Murthy, an internist and political ally of the president’s, has come under criticism from the National Rifle Association, and opposition from the gun-rights group has grown so intense that it has placed Democrats from conservative states, several of whom are up for re-election this year, in a difficult spot.
Senate aides said Friday that as many as 10 Democrats are believed to be considering a vote against Dr. Murthy, who has voiced support for various gun control measures like an assault weapons ban, mandatory safety training and ammunition sales limits.
Liberal journalist Dave Weigel attributes the death of the filibuster to putting the pressure on these Democrats. They could no longer hide behind a Republican filibuster to avoid taking a position.
Presumably the 10 Democrats including such “pro-Second Amendment stalwarts” as Kay Hagan, Mark Pryor, Mark Begich, Mary Landrieu, and possibly Mark Udall who all lost re-election in November.
It’s funny how a politician’s true colors come out when either they don’t face an election for a number of years or they are being sent home by the voters.
Only three Democrats voted against Murthy: Joe Donnelly (D-IN), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), and Joe Manchin (D-WV). And the rest, including Hagan, Pryor, Begich, Landrieu, and Udall voted for Murthy.
Murthy’s confirmation was the triumph of the lame ducks. Their vote was a big “f*%k you” to the voters of their home states who had just turned them out of office.
Lame duck session needs to go away. People who have been voted out of office have no business making any decision at all for the country. I wouldn't let them vote on lunch.
I tend to agree with you. I should also note here that two Democrats who just barely got reelected – Shaheen and Warner – also voted for Murthy. Moreover, so did Jon Tester. It is long past time to retire his so-called 2A credentials.
Agree! The police/security should have them empty their office desk and escort them from the building first thing the morning after the election.
Election results should be implemented immediately to prevent such mischief. No good can come from politicians that are not in the slightest bit accountable.
come January, the GOP can investigate his appointment and follow the $$, can cut his budget, can review his staff, block appointments and studies, and in general, keep him in check. Given his only claim to fame is creating "Doctors for Obama" a mere 2 yrs after finishing his residency means there is something about there about him in an email, file, etc. He is no C. Everett Koop and is not qualified. I am sure if he acts out of line, he will get a congressional beat down.
-Dirk Diggler
-Dirk Diggler
I think you may be correct. He probably sees this as an easy way to pay off his student loans!