Pandemic that has already claimed more than 225,000 american lives. We are 00 mere eight days away we are a mere eight days a away from a president ial election. Donald trump announced his nomination of judge barrett even before we could fully mourn the death of the great Justice Ruth Bader ginsburg. And Senate Republicans then rushed this nomination to the senate floor. In doing so, they violated the rule that their leader, Mitch Mcconnell, imposed in 2016 which kept Merrick Garland off the Supreme Court after president obama nominated him in february of that year to fill the vacancy that arose with the death of justice antonin scalia. That rule was clear. That rule was concise. That rule was definitive. The senate would not consider a nomination to fill a vacancy on the Supreme Court during a president ial election year. Many of my republican colleagues echoed leader mcconnells pledge. In fact, my colleague, senator Lindsey Graham, who chairs the judiciary committee, admonished us to
For us on the committee to do something radical, to listen more than we talk. For us to heare from our colleagues on both sides of the aisle about their ideas for the next rules package. Regardless of who controls Congress Next year, i think we can all agree running this house with integrity means listening to all members so that is what we will be doing today. We took a collaborative approach with the rules package for this congress and im proud to say the first bipartisan package in decades. It took time to acknowledge no party has the monopoly on good ideas. Of what weve created together, the consensus calendar to expedite consideration of ideas with bipartisan support, the Diversity Office to get the calls falls of Congress Looking like the real world, and the Modernization Committee to advance good ideas from both sides to get this place functioning better. Although we were hearing these in committee, we required other committees hold them so all members have the chance to be hear
Modern tonight kobs phil casaus and Chris Ramirez and tessa mentus group for those of you watching on kob 4 tv the santa fe new new mexico. Com k. Or wgn las cruces or if youre listening from her network of Radio Partners across the not welcome. O we welcome editorinchief of the Santa Fe New Mexican for tonights modern team and we are delighted to haveo a candidate who will appear on your ballot running for the open u. S. Senate seat joining us tonight. Tonight the candidates are appearing from three locations. Mark ronchetti is with us in her studio and bob walsh is at his home in santa fe. Because of covid19 risk we gave candidates the option to appear from wherever they feel the safest. Smithers at crew from kob what thieves remote candidate to enforce rules and provide the Live Technology to broadcast out of their locations and the timekeeper has been provided to mr. Ronchetti her studio. Candidates will have one minute broque putting remarks or they will then have 90 seconds to an
The presiding officer pursuant to rule 4, paragraph 2, the senate having been in continuous session, the senate will suspend for a prayer from the senate chaplain. The chaplain let us pray. Holy god, as our lawmakers strive on this decisive day in history to accomplish your purposes, show them how to discern your will. May they renew their minds through the in yourishment of your an hourishment of your holly word. Lord, prepare them to be sober minded and filled with your spirit, accomplishing the tasks that receive your approval. Lord, keep them from conforming to worldly impulses, as they strive to ensure that their conduct will rightly represent you. May they conduct themselves with holiness, godliness, and civility, waiting for the day when you will return to establish your kingdom on earth. Lord, prepare us all to stand before you in peace without spot or blemish. We pray in your powerful name. Amen. Mr. Lee mr. President. The presiding officer the senator from utah. Mr. Lee mr. P
Participate but declined our invitation. In addition to questions from us, midway through the debate, we will have a segment where the candidates, unscripted, will discuss issues among themselves. Willuestions greg and i ask the candidates this evening have been drawn from questions from wyoming pbs listeners and staff and viewers and developed by craig and i. Candidates have not seen the questions. Craig we want to get right to the debate. Each candidate is allowed an opening statement, questions will follow. We are ready to begin. T, you are first. Jeff thanks to wyoming pbs. I am the Constitution Party state chairman and candidate for the u. S. House of representatives. I think we are all in agreement 2020 has not been kind to this country, with the fires in covid19, etc. , but for all the things we can worry about, lets not lose sight of the thing we should hold near and dear, our liberties, which are the safeguard of our freedoms. The liberties i refer to are the principles of nat