About these pro-forma Senate sessions

[HariSeldon]

McConnell has said that the first opportunity to move on Articles of Impeachment would be Jan. 19th because the Senate is adjourned but for pro-forma sessions. Pro-forma sessions have been a thorn in the side of Presidents since Bush 43 (under Harry Reid), but I wonder if there is any way for Democrats to either force a pro-forma session to become a normal session that could move on the Articles of Impeachment, or at least force a large number of Republicans to vote against the motion?

[beachbumbob]

1. nothing can be done outside of public opinion and a Million citizens in the streets of DC

McConnell in drivers seat but pressure can happen

[tritsofme]

2. They could, with unanimous consent.

However a single objecting senator could prevent it.

[Pobeka]

6. Yes, but that would also put that senator on the record, similar to a conviction vote.

I want to see all these folks on the record ASAP with a vote, do they understand the emergency and want to protect the democracy or not?

[unblock]

3. AFAIK, whoever presides can gavel in and gavel out.

No obligation to recognize anyone or take any other action.

If pence wanted to, he could preside and choose to conduct actual business.

Not an expert on this, though.....

[Wounded Bear]

4. There will be no quorum to do any business, so...no..nt

[unblock]

8. Well, I'm presuming a scenario where enough show up to do so.

[Wounded Bear]

10. That's kind of the point of being adjourned...

nobody there.

At least pro-forma prevents Trump from any appointments.

[MineralMan]

5. Quite soon, Mitch McConnell will become the MINORITY Leader of the Senate.

As soon as the two new Senators from Georgia are seated, control of the Senate will shift to the Democrats. I don't know exactly when that will be, but it will be soon, since both Republicans who were running have conceded.

As Minority Leader, McConnell won't have any control of how things are done. Instead, the new Democratic Majority Leader, almost certainly Chuck Schumer, will take his place. Things will change immediately, and in a big way. It's going to be such a blow to Mitch that he might just decide to retire and start collecting his pension.

[tritsofme]

7. The new Democratic majority is dependent on Kamala Harris being sworn in as VP

The two new senators will only bring the Senate to 50-50, with Republicans maintaining a nominal majority until 1/20 by virtue of Pence being the tie-breaking vote.

[MineralMan]

9. I suppose so. Still, 11 days is soon as far as I'm concerned.

Meanwhile, things are as they are.

[Wounded Bear]

11. In Trump time 11 days is pretty significant...

[MineralMan]

12. Yeah, maybe. He has pretty much run out of support

right now. Even in the White House.

Donald J. Trump could not even write a pardon without assistance. He is simply incapable of putting it into the proper form.

Left to his own devices, he can do little but drool and crap in his Depends. I think he'll be heading for Merde-a-GoGo shortly, never to return. In 11 days, he will no longer be President. He knows that. It gives him a sad.

[BlueIdaho]

13. Make them pay in the court of public opinion.

Mortuary Mitch and his band of Un-Americans only needed eight days to install a puppet on the Supreme Court.