Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Susan Collins (R-ME) publicly expressed "concerns" over Donald Trump's cabinet nominees, but these worries amounted to absolutely nothing when they voted to confirm, according to a new article by MSNBC writer Paul Waldman.
Cassidy, a medical doctor, fretted about Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s record on vaccines, while Collins claimed Tulsi Gabbard had "obvious issues."
"But lo and behold, the senators got over their concerns, just as their GOP colleagues have again and again when it came time to vote on the nominees President Donald Trump has sent to the Senate," Waldman wrote.
Without hesitation, Cassidy joined Republicans on the Senate Finance Committee to approve Kennedy's nomination for Health Secretary, while Collins joined Republicans on the Intelligence Committee to back Gabbard for director of national intelligence.
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"In short, Senate Republicans, including the members most eager to trumpet their independence, have abandoned their constitutional responsibility to 'advise and consent,' and instead laid down and rolled over," Waldman wrote.
Waldman argued that Senate Republicans wield plenty of power to stand up to Donald Trump — but haven't.
"Republicans have a 53-47 majority today, any four of them could decide to vote against a nomination and force the president to choose a more qualified nominee," Waldman said.
But harassment and the very real threat of physical harm have kept them in line. Waldman wrote, "The senators were subjected to an intense pressure campaign from the White House and its allies, which in today’s Republican Party carries the literal threat of violence against those who oppose Trump."
"In the end," Waldman wrote, "all we’re left with is their 'concern.' Which adds up to exactly nothing. So when the nominees these senators rubber-stamp do damage to the public interest — as they inevitably will — no one should forget who gave them the critical support they needed to get confirmed."