Lindsey Graham has been in the Senate long enough to know this wouldn't work. The Texas legislature has a 2/3rds quorum requirement. In the U.S. Senate, a quorum only needs a simple majority.
The GOP leaving DC would not shut down the Senate the way the Texas walkout is doing.
The GOP leaving DC would not shut down the Senate the way the Texas walkout is doing.
https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1416771407577501697
Another problem with Graham's idea: to dissolve a Senate quorum, you would need one Republican to stay in the Capitol to raise a point of order. So if all Dems were present and the one Republican to raise a point of order, that's 51. Clearly a quorum.
When Republicans controlled the Senate, some liberal activists suggested Democrats do the same thing to retaliate for denying Merrick Garland a hearing, then to stop Trump confirming justices.
Dems didn't do this because, just like Graham's threat now, the math doesn't work.
Dems didn't do this because, just like Graham's threat now, the math doesn't work.
That said, if Rs actually tried this it would be an annoyance to Ds. With no unanimous consent, they'd need a roll call on every procedural vote, plus every D senator would have to stay in DC and couldn't do business at home.
But it would not block them. Just slow them down.
But it would not block them. Just slow them down.
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