After holding up Lynch’s confirmation vote for weeks, McConnell worked to ensure she would overcome a filibuster with a strong bipartisan vote, pitting him against Tea Party firebrand Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and other conservatives.
Some GOP senators say McConnell wanted to avoid a battle over the “nuclear option,” the controversial tactic then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (Nev.) employed in 2013 to reduce the threshold for ending a filibuster of most executive nominees from 60 votes to a simple majority.
One lawmaker said McConnell quietly talked to colleagues about voting to advance Lynch to a final up-or-down vote.
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The motion to end debate on her nomination passed 66-34 and she won confirmation 56-43.
A senior Republican aide, however, dismissed the theory that McConnell was worried about an impromptu floor fight.
“No one was going to object so it’s moot,” said the aide.
The aide asserted that Lynch had broad support regardless of any possible machinations over Senate procedure, noting her final tally was only a handful of votes short of 60.
FK – We send the bastards up there to defend Liberty and stop tyranny and defend the Bill of Rights. When they don’t do that it’s time to look at other options.
Exclusive — Empirical Vote Data Shows Democrats Still Control US Senate, Harry Reid’s Office Rejoices
FK – We’re gonna have to go up there, not carrying signs. Simple fact.
Another fine piece of trash. Does it know what it can do with the cigars?: