Judy Shelton, President Trump’s nominee to fill a vacancy on the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, was defeated 47-50 in the Senate yesterday after Sens. Chuck Grassley and Rick Scott were forced to miss the vote over coronavirus concerns (Grassley later tested positive, Scott is in quarantine):
?BREAKING: Senate voted to BLOCK Judy Shelton's nomination to the Federal Reserve Board of Governors, a setback to Trump's drive to reshape the Fed before he leaves office.
Vote was 47-50. McConnell switched his "yes" vote to "no." That lets him attempt vote again at later date
— Laura Litvan (@LauraLitvan) November 17, 2020
Sen. Kamala Harris took a break from her VP-elect preparations to cast the pivotal vote that broke the tie:
"Ms. Harris, no." pic.twitter.com/Ub6MBZl1HU
— Neil Irwin (@Neil_Irwin) November 17, 2020
It’s not known if Mitch McConnell has the votes if he brings her nomination up again:
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If Grassley, Scott, Alexander had been on the floor, it could have been 50-50 on Shelton and Pence would have been able to cast the deciding vote. Will be a lot of pressure on some Rs to join Romney, Collins and Alexander in opposing her if McConnell brings this up next week.
— David Wessel (@davidmwessel) November 17, 2020
Complicating things for the GOP is that incoming Dem Sen. Mark Kelly will be sworn in November 30 to replace Martha McSally:
But I’m told Kelly (D, Ariz) will be sworn in November 30 so McConnell would have a very small window to get Shelton through.
— David Wessel (@davidmwessel) November 17, 2020
Republicans, FWIW, offered a warm welcome to their likely former colleague:
Just now as @KamalaHarris came to floor to vote against Shelton- @SenSherrodBrown ran across the chamber to thank her for coming. Several senate R’s also came over to talk to Harris, including @SenatorRounds, who could be heard congratulating her, and Graham, who gave fist bump
— Garrett Haake (@GarrettHaake) November 17, 2020
Sen. Lindsey Graham even gave her a fist bump:
An interesting scene on the Senate floor when several GOP senators congratulated Kamala Harris (most Rs still siding with Trump in his fight over election.)
Sens. Tim Scott, Mike Rounds, James Lankford all congratulated her, as did Ben Sasse. Lindsey Graham gave her a fist bump
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) November 17, 2020
Watch:
WATCH: Sen. Lindsey Graham gives Vice President-elect Kamala Harris a fist bump on the Senate floor
— Breaking911 (@Breaking911) November 17, 2020
So, just how seriously should we take anything either party says about the post-election fighting? They’re certainly not acting like the Republic is on the line:
VP Elect Sen. Kamala Harris was warmly embraced by GOP senators on the floor, many offering her congratulations despite still siding w/ Trump
“Congratulations,” said GOP Sen Lankford to Harris
Graham gave her a fist bump
Sens Tim Scott, Rounds & Sasse also congratulated her
— Ali Zaslav (@alizaslav) November 17, 2020
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