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By a vote of 49to 43, Senate Republicans on Tuesdaynight formally silencedSen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) during the debate over the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) to be attorney general.

Invoking a seldom-used Senate rule, Republicans put Warren in her seat. Undeterred, she left the chamber, reached far beyond the nighttime audience of C-Span junkies, and broadcast to millions tough criticism of Sessions, leveled in statements by former senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Coretta Scott King.

What happened Tuesdaynight and what can it tell us about legislative politics and the state of the Senate?

Heres how Republicans forcedWarren to take her seat

Senate debate is governed by Rule 19, which includes a rarely invoked clause empowering the presiding officer to enforce standards of decorum on the Senate floor:

At issue last night was Warrens reading from materials entered into the congressional record, including statements from Kennedy and King, the widow of civil rights icon Martin Luther King Jr., when the Senate in 1986 considered Sessions for a seat on the federal bench.

Warren quoted Kennedy, who had called Sessions a disgrace, leading the Senates presiding officer to warn Warren that she was on the verge of breaking Rule 19.

When Warren then read from Kings letter, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.)called her to order. Warren asked to continue her remarks suggesting that she was quoting from a letter introduced into the record and thus not directly impugning the motives of a fellow senator. McConnell objected (a right of any senator), and the presiding officer ordered Warren to take her seat. Warren lost her appeal on a party-line vote.

Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was stopped from speaking on the Senate floor about Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions on Feb. 7. "I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate," Warren said. (Reuters)

As McConnell later explained: She was warned. She was given an explanation. Nevertheless, she persisted.The optics of Republicans mansplaining Warren will surely encourage Democrats to relaunch their attack that the GOP was waging a war on women. Moreover, instead of silencing Warren, Republicans empowered Warren to broadcast her opposition to Sessions to at least 6 million viewers on Facebook. Taking a play from E.E. Schattschneiders 1960The Semi-Sovereign People, Warren expanded the scope of conflict to draw millions into her fight against Trumps nominee.

[Nevertheless, she persisted becomes new battle cry after McConnell silences Elizabeth Warren]

Three lessons from Tuesdays parliamentary spat

First, Tuesday nights spat reminds us that a Senate majority retains the power to interpret its rules as it sees fit. Despite rules that empower the minority party to slow down and often derail the majoritys agenda, molding rules remains an important tool of a cohesive majority party. In this case, a majority interpreted Rule 19 to cover breaches of decorum that arise from reading someone elses words on the Senate floor.

The specifics of Tuesdays appeal are unimportant. More significant is Republican willingness to impose an interpretation of its rules with the effect of amplifying partisan conflict and ensuring future fireworks. Thats precisely the dynamic that underlies a Senate majoritys capacity to go nuclear to ban the filibuster: reinterpret the rules to serve a partys immediate advantage.

Second, fallout from thespat both online and back on the Senate floor on Wednesday ironically also signals the limits of the power of a Senate majority party.

Republicans wantedquick and quiet confirmation of President Trumps nominees: No substantive action on the partys agenda can occur without Trumps team in place. Instead, Tuesdays vote empowered Democrats to rewrite todays headlines around McConnells words framing Republicans as anti-women and highlighting Democrats criticism of Sessions.

Third, the spat highlights the Senates uneven enforcement of its rules. For many, this smells funny: Why wasnt Sen.Ted Cruz (R-Tex.) silenced in the summer of 2015 when he all but accused McConnell on lying on the Senate floor?

Lax enforcement of rules, however, is precisely how the Senate typically keeps an even keel: Most of the time, senators and leaders do not fully exploit the chambers formal rules. Normally, they dont have to. Instead, senators try to make things work by securing every senators consent on a path forward. Calling for votes and enforcing rules signals that the Senate by its own standards is failing.

Whos the guilty party from last nights spat?

Hard to say. Warren clearly thought she was in the right to read from the documents entered into the record.She didnt back down when warned that she was broaching the blurred line of crossing Rule 19. But neither did McConnell seem to try to work things out short of leading his conference to silence a female colleague.

In less partisan times, senators have managed to smooth the waters, thus keeping the chamber functioning. That no longer seems to be the name of the game in the Senate.

Last week, Senate Republicans suspended their rules to force contested nominees to the floor. This week, Republicans silenced a colleague. Democrats blame the GOP for running roughshod over Democrats rights. Republicans protest Democrats unwillingness to cooperate.

But Senate Republicans will need Democratic consent to get much done this and next year. Indeed, voters will hold Trump and his Republican majority for accountable for Congresss performance, even if Republicans blame Democrats for gumming up the works. The effect and duration of this new Republican majority hangs in the balance.

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3 lessons from Republicans' attempt to silence Elizabeth Warren - Washington Post

Chicago's Republican Party chairman filed an ethics complaint with the Chicago Public Schools inspector general Wednesday alleging district CEO Forrest Claypool improperly used taxpayer resources to deliver a "blatantly political letter" to parents this week.

"It was misusing taxpayer money for political purposes," Chicago Republican Chairman Chris Cleveland said during a news conference with a small group of GOP volunteers and staffers outside Inspector General Nicholas Schuler's office. "It is not only improper; it is entirely illegal."

The school district's battle with Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner over education funding escalated this week with dueling letters delivered to parents of students at the financially troubled district.

In a letter to parents that coincided with the announcement of a $46 million spending freeze for schools, Claypool wrote that "Governor Rauner, just like President Trump, has decided to attack those who need the most help."

The district says cuts are necessary because of a veto by the governor that cost the district $215 million in anticipated state aid.

"If we are not able to win the political battles in Springfield, we will have to make more cuts," Claypool's letter said. "Those cuts will be even more painful. We need not just the $215 million first step that the Governor has stolen from your children. We need real change that is fair to your children."

The Rauner administration sent its own letter to CPS parents in which state Education Secretary Beth Purvis accused CPS of trying to "arbitrarily create a crisis" with "a curiously timed and unfortunate announcement" on Monday about the spending freeze.

Purvis told parents that "continued mismanagement left (CPS) with a $215 million hole in the current fiscal year," despite an annual special block grant from the state, declining enrollment within the district and increased property taxes.

In his letter urging Schuler to investigate Claypool, Cleveland cited the bribery scandal that brought down former district CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett.

"I ask that you look into Mr. Claypool's pattern of unethical behavior to help guard against CPS finding itself with the same fate under Mr. Claypool as it had under Ms. Byrd-Bennett," the letter said.

Claypool defended his letter to parents at a news conference where he continued his campaign against Rauner and the state's education funding system. He dismissed the GOP complaint as "a silly smokescreen.

"It is well within my authority, and it is actually my responsibility to do something," Claypool said.

"This not partisan at all. This is about the kids of Chicago and how politics in Springfield and the actions of the governor affect them. I'm not the one who decided in the middle of the school year, when it could do the most harm to kids, to pull resources away from them. The governor chose to do that."

Rauner has said he vetoed the measure that would have provided $215 million to CPS because Democrats went back on a deal that tied the aid to broader changes to the state's employee retirement system.

School ethics policies generally prohibit CPS employees from engaging in a broad list of "political activity" during work time including activities such as participating in or assisting with political campaigns or organizing political demonstrations.

Those prohibitions exclude activities "relating to the support or opposition of any executive, legislative, or administrative action" as defined by state lobbying laws. The policy also does not prohibit political activities "that are otherwise appropriate for an Employee to engage in as part of his or her official employment duties."

Schulers office declined comment.

jjperez@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @PerezJr

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Republicans cry foul over CPS chief's letter to parents - Chicago Tribune

Republican lawmakers hoping for a break from the politically charged atmosphere in Washington, D.C.,have instead been met with protests at home.

From California to Florida, liberal activists are bringing the fight to the doorsteps of GOP lawmakers, marching on the streets of their hometowns and making legislators lives miserable as they attend meetings and town halls with constituents.

In Roseville, Calif., Rep. Tom McClintock (R) needed a police escort to cut through the protesters who demonstrated at his town hall event.

McClintock, who also held town hall meetings during the contentious days of Occupy Wall Street and the Tea Party, says hes never seen anything like it.

This was something very different, McClintock told The Hill in an email. After an hour, the incident commander for the Roseville Police Department advised us that the situation was deteriorating and felt it necessary to get me out of the venue.Thats never happened before.

Several hundred more chanted at Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.), who is being targeted by the House Democratic campaign arm, as he ducked into a car on his way out of a private meeting in Palatine, Ill.

And at an event in Pinellas County, Fla., Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R) faced an unruly town hall crowd as critics took the microphone to lecture him on the importance of saving the Affordable Care Act.

I appreciate you sharing your story, Bilirakis said after one man told the lawmaker that he would go bankrupt if Republicans repealed the law.

Grow a spine! shouted an angry protester.

News outlets are brimming with stories about the unrest. Liberal activists are filming the encounters and uploading damaging visuals of Republicans fleeing the ruckus on social media.

For Democrats who have seen their party lose control of Congress and many state governments, the protests are a hopeful sign that Trump has awakened the opposition.

The activism were seeing in the streets and at airports and womens marches is robust, said Gara LaMarche, the president of Democracy Alliance, an influential network of liberal activist groups.

Were seeing it spring up at town halls and in places none of us anticipated, he continued. It is very encouraging to see that kind of activism from the grassroots. These are ordinary people rising up. ... The real question is whether it can be sustained or aligned with the appropriate channels to make real political change.

The flashpoint for many liberals was the Jan. 21 Womens March on Washington, which attracted hundreds of thousands of protesters in the capital and at least 3 million nationwide the day after Trump was sworn in.

Since then, liberals have descended on major U.S. airports by the thousands to protest Trumps temporary ban on refugees and immigrants.On Monday, hundreds more are expected to gather on Capitol Hill to protest Trumps selection of Betsy DeVos to lead the Department of Education.

Now those protests are targeting Republicans at home.

On Sunday, several hundred protesters gathered outside Sen. Dean HellerDean HellerRepublican lawmakers face rising anger at town halls Dem senator: DeVos bigger threat to education than grizzlies Senate set for high-noonvote to confirm DeVos MOREs (R) office in Reno, Nev., to pressure him to vote against DeVos. Last week, scores of protesters gathered on the steps of city hall in Portland, Maine, to demand that Sen. Susan CollinsSusan CollinsGOP lawmakers urge Trump to get tough on Russia Schumer: Dem uproar ensures DeVos, Sessions will be watched closely Warren silenced: A sexist GOP tells a woman to shut up and sit down MORE (R) stand up to Trumps refugee order.

At a speech in Spokane, Wash., last month, Rep. Cathy McMorris RodgersCathy McMorris RodgersGOP talking security for ObamaCare protests: report Republican lawmakers face rising anger at town halls Officials know identity of woman who infiltrated GOP retreat MORE, the chairwoman of the House GOP conference, was drowned out by chants of save our healthcare.

Rep. Kevin BradyKevin BradyDonald Trumps details man Trump campaign adviser: Border tax unlikely to be enacted Republican lawmakers face rising anger at town halls MORE (R) was greeted last month by shouts of dont lie at a constituent gathering in Houston. And so many people showed up for one of Rep. Mike Coffmans (R-Colo.) regularly scheduled open office events that he was criticized for having to turn many away.

Some of these exchanges have gone viral.

At a town hall event last weekend, Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.) complained that since ObamaCare and these issues have come up, the women are in my grill no matter where I go.

A video of those remarks has been viewed tens of thousands of times on YouTube after it was played on MSNBCs The Last Word.

The growing protests are giving plenty of political ammunition to emboldened Democrats.

Last week, Rep. Barbara Comstock (R-Va.) did not attend two previously scheduled public events. Liberals have seized on that to say she is fearful of the growing protests and dodging her constituents.

Democrats are looking to capitalize on this groundswell of liberal energy.

The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) has launched a March into 18 initiative designed to harness the grassroots energy occurring across the country. The DCCC will be hiring new full-time staff in 20 districts across the country where they believe Republicans are particularly vulnerable.

The Democratic National Committee (DNC) has developed a call tool to help constituents flood the phone lines of their representatives.

Republicans have so far been dismissive of the movement.

Several lawmakers feel the media is punishing them for making themselves available to constituents. A spokesperson for Bilirakis noted that the congressman and his staff stayed well beyond the allotted time atSaturdaystown hall for the purpose of hearing directly from constituents on healthcare reform, whether they agreed or disagreed.

Some lawmakers have alleged that the protesters are coming from outside their districts.

Brat claimed that the activists pressuring him were paid protesters. Andon Monday, White House press secretary Sean Spicer allegedon Fox Newss Fox and Friends that the protesters are being paid to turn out.

Protesting has become a profession now, Spicer said. They have every right to do that, dont get me wrong. But I think we need to call it what it is. Its not these organic uprisings that we have seen over the last several decades. The Tea Party was a very organic movement. This has become a very paid, Astroturf-type movement.

But some Republicans are warning that the party must take the protests seriously.

McClintock said that while there was an organized and radical element that came to disrupt ... the vast majority of the people there were decent and law-abiding folks sincerely opposed to President Trump and wanted to make their views known to their elected representative.

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Republican lawmakers face rising anger at town halls - The Hill

Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and David Perdue, R-Ga., hold a news conference after unveiling immigration legislation they say is aimed at cutting the number of green cards issued annually by the United States in half. Mark Wilson/Getty Images hide caption

Sens. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., and David Perdue, R-Ga., hold a news conference after unveiling immigration legislation they say is aimed at cutting the number of green cards issued annually by the United States in half.

When he was running for president, Donald Trump pledged to reduce immigration both the illegal and legal varieties.

His allies in Congress hope to make good on that promise, and two Republican lawmakers have introduced new legislation targeting legal immigration.

The landmark Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 eased the path across the nation's borders for people from Asia and Africa parts of the world that previously had limited opportunity to immigrate to the United States.

Today, a new generation of immigration restrictionists thinks it's time to reduce the overall flow. The junior senators from Arkansas and Georgia, Tom Cotton and David Perdue, are proposing a new law.

"The goal here is to get our immigration levels back to historical norms, to take something of a pause to allow the economy to catch up with the immigrants that we have allowed into our country over the last two generations," Cotton says, "and to focus on the well-being of American citizens, those citizens who are here today, many of whom are struggling economically."

Their bill would do three things: First, limit the number of foreign nationals who are able to get green cards to reunite with their families already in the U.S. currently the largest category of legal immigrants; second, cut the number of refugees in half; third, eliminate the diversity visa lottery a program that gives visas to countries with low rates of immigration to the United States.

Cotton says the number of green cards awarded each year about a million is excessive.

"In one year, this would reduce it to around 600,000," Cotton says. "Over the span of the 10-year window it would fall to about 500,000."

A plan to cut immigration in half faces entrenched opposition among immigration-friendly Republicans, pro-immigrant Democrats, and business lobbies that favors high immigration rates.

But the proposed law has friends in a high place: Cotton says he's been coordinating with the Trump administration and its coterie of longtime anti-immigration figures, including chief strategist Steve Bannon, Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions, and Julie Kirchner.

Kirchner, the former executive director of the far-right immigration restrictionist group Federation for American Immigration Reform, is now a special political adviser in U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Linda Chavez, a conservative political commentator who served in the Reagan White House, says these restrictionist voices are being amplified this year.

"I've been around this issue for 35 years," she says. "We've never seen the kind of reception for these groups that we're seeing in the Trump administration."

The idea that the time has come to invite fewer people from around the globe to become Americans is based on the belief that there are simply too many unskilled immigrants, and that they are competing with low-skilled Americans for jobs.

Economists have done studies for and against this theory, and each side fervently defends its case.

"It would be serious, serious changes to the dynamism of the American economy and the American spirit," says Tamar Jacoby, head of Immigration Works USA, a pro-business group that wants more legal immigrant workers.

The arguments are not all economic there is a cultural component, the notion that it's time to let the American melting pot cool down for a spell.

In the House of Representatives, Rep. Lamar Smith, R-Texas, expects to propose a companion bill to reduce immigration. He is concerned about immigrant enclaves growing in metropolitan areas.

"When you have so many immigrants being admitted, they tend to cluster together, they tend to maybe be a bit more slow in learning the English language, to becoming acculturated, to becoming patriotic Americans," Smith says.

The bill is the first in a series of GOP measures intended to redesign the American immigration system. Everyone agrees immigration desperately needs fixing, but it remains to be seen if Congress is ready to narrow the gate.

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Republican Lawmakers Propose New Law To Reduce Legal Immigration - NPR

New York Times

Republican Senators Vote to Formally Silence Elizabeth Warren New York Times WASHINGTON Republican senators voted on Tuesday to formally silence a Democratic colleague for impugning a peer, Senator Jeff Sessions of Alabama, by condemning his nomination for attorney general while reading a letter from Coretta Scott King. Republicans vote to rebuke Elizabeth Warren, saying she impugned Sessions's characterWashington Post Jeff Merkley Defies Senate Republican Leader by Reading Coretta Scott King's Words on the Floor of CongressWillamette Week Republicans Vote To Silence Sen. Elizabeth Warren In Confirmation DebateNPR The Hill (blog) -The Guardian -Vox -YouTube all 378 news articles »

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Republican Senators Vote to Formally Silence Elizabeth Warren - New York Times