All three networks on Wednesday sympathized with Elizabeth Warren, lamenting that the uncivil Republicans on Capitol Hill “silenced” her as things got “nasty.” ABC, CBS and NBC focused less on the Democratic Senator’s smear that Republican Jeff Sessions is a racist and more on the affront against Warren being cut-off mid-speech.
After breezily noting that “Democrats here are still at it this morning trying to derail yet another cabinet nominee,” Good Morning America’s Mary Bruce framed the Senate showdown this way: “Elizabeth Warren was about 45 minutes into her lengthy remarks when Republicans told her to knock it off and zip it.”
An ABC graphic worried about the “nasty showdown.” Bruce highlighted, “In an extraordinarily rare move, Senate Majority leader Mitch McConnell leading a party line rebuke.” Instead of challenging Democratic obstructionism, she casually mentioned at the end of the segment: “So far 6 of 21 cabinet nominees have been confirmed."
Over on CBS This Morning, Nancy Cordes fretted how things “got ugly” when Republicans acted:
This was an all-nighter that got ugly, Norah. It's always sensitive when you've got senators railing against one of their own. In this case, Democratic senators railing against Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General. And in one instance, Republicans punished one of the Democrats arguing that she had violated a rule against criticizing a colleague on the Senate floor.
Norah O’Donnell, like her colleague on ABC, touted the seeming unfairness perpetrated against Warren: “Democrat Elizabeth Warren was silenced after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell complained about her criticism of the nominee, Senator Jeff Sessions.”
On the Today show, Matt Lauer hyperventilated as he opened the program: “Silenced. Senator Elizabeth Warren punished by Republicans, using an arcane rule after she offers a stinging rebuke of fellow Senator Jeff Sessions.” Peter Alexander reiterated, “Mitch McConnell accusing Warren of breaking an arcane Senate rule.”
Later, Alexander appeared to blame the whole thing on the Republicans and not Warren’s attack on Sessions as a racist:
As for that showdown on the Senate floor tonight [sic], it largely would have gone unnoticed if Republicans didn't silence Senator Warren. Overnight, #LetLizSpeak began trending on Twitter. And after being banned from speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Warren went to a nearby room and read the entire Correta Scott King letter aloud on Facebook Live.”
Partial transcripts are below:
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CBS This Morning
2/8/17
7:08:16 to 7:11:34
3 minutes and 18 secondsCBS GRAPHIC: Warren Silenced: GOP Shuts Down MA Senator Over Sessions Protest
NORAH O’DONNELL: A Senate fight over President Trump's cabinet has moved to his choice for attorney general. In a rare move, Democrat Elizabeth Warren was silenced after Majority Leader Mitch McConnell complained about her criticism of the nominee, Senator Jeff Sessions. The President tweeted last night, “It is a disgrace that my full cabinet is not in place, the longest such delay in the history of our country. Obstruction by the Democrats.” The new Secretary of Education, Secretary Betsy DeVos, was sworn in last night by Vice President Mike Pence. who cast the deciding vote for her confirmation. That’s never happened for a cabinet nominee before. Nancy Cordes is on Capitol Hill after another all nighter in the Senate. Nancy, good morning. Wow. The Senate went viral.
NANCY CORDES: That's right. This was an all-nighter that got ugly, Norah. It's always sensitive when you've got senators railing against one of their own. In this case, Democratic senators railing against Alabama Senator Jeff Sessions to be Attorney General. And in one instance, Republicans punished one of the Democrats arguing that she had violated a rule against criticizing a colleague on the Senate floor.
SENATOR ELIZABETH WARREN: He says he will vigorously enforce the law once he becomes attorney general. Give me a break.
GMA
2/8/17
7:07AM ETROBIN ROBERTS: We're going to move on now to the showdown over President Trump's cabinet nominees. Overnight democratic senators making another marathon push. This time protesting Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions, but Republicans are firing back, trying to silence Senator Elizabeth Warren. Let's go to our congressional correspondent Mary Bruce, she's there on Capitol Hill for us this morning.
MARY BRUCE: Good morning Robin. These tense cabinet battles just got even more contentious. Democrats here are still at it this morning, trying to derail yet another cabinet nominee. Now, Elizabeth Warren was about 45 minutes into her lengthy remarks when Republicans told her to knock it off and zip it. Overnight showdown on the Senate floor.
WARREN: So can I continue?
BRUCE: Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren delivering a late night speech opposing Attorney General nominee Jeff Sessions. Quoting Martin Luther king's widow, Coretta Scott King.
WARREN: Coretta Scott King also wrote to the judiciary committee about the Sessions nomination in 1986. "Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens in the district he now seeks to serve as a federal judge."
...
Today
02/08/17
7:00 AM TEASEMATT LAUER: Silenced. Senator Elizabeth Warren punished by Republicans, using an arcane rule after she offers a stinging rebuke of fellow Senator Jeff Sessions, using a letter from Martin Luther King's widow.
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN: The words of Correta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate?
LAUER: But with Sessions set to be confirmed as Attorney General today, was it another wasted night on Capitol Hill and are Democrats once again just spinning their wheels?
(...)
7:07 AM
MATT LAUER: Let's turn to politics now. This morning, three federal appeals court judges are weighing the fate of President Trump's travel ban after hearing arguments for and against it last night. While on Capitol Hill, Democrats pulled a second straight all-nighter against another cabinet nominee. We’ve got complete coverage, starting with Peter Alexander at the White House. Hi, Peter.
PETER ALEXANDER: Hey Matt, good morning. This was a stunning confrontation right in the middle of an already heated debate. Just as Senate Democrats were arguing against Senator Jeff Sessions, the nominee for Attorney General. And it's that rebuke of Senator Elizabeth Warren that stole the night, after Republicans voted to formally bar her from speaking on the Senate floor.
[ON-SCREEN HEADLINE: GOP Votes to Silence Elizabeth Warren; Senators Say Criticism of AG Nominee Sessions Violates Rules]
Overnight, fireworks on the Senate floor. Democrat Elizabeth Warren protesting the nomination of fellow Senator Jeff Sessions, President Trump's pick for attorney general
SEN. ELIZABETH WARREN [D-MASSACHUSETTS]: Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.
ALEXANDER: Those words from a 1986 letter from the late Correta Scott king, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s widow. Opposing Sessions’ nomination for a federal judgeship. But the Senate’s top Republican interrupted.
SEN. MITCH MCCONELL: The Senator’s impugned the motives and conduct of our colleague from Alabama.
ALEXANDER: Mitch McConnell accusing Warren of breaking an arcane Senate rule by attacking a sitting senator.WARREN: I ask leave of the Senate to continue my remarks.
SENATE PRESIDENT: Is there objection?
MCCONNELL: I object.
ALEXANDER: Warren tweeting “Senate Majority Leader silenced Mrs. King's voice on the Senate floor,” before speaking out on MSNBC.
WARREN: I'm out of the game on the Senate floor. I don't get to speak at all.
(...)
7:11 AM
ALEXANDER: As for that showdown on the Senate floor tonight [sic], it largely would have gone unnoticed if Republicans didn't silence Senator Warren. Overnight, #LetLizSpeak began trending on Twitter. And after being banned from speaking on the Senate floor, Senator Warren went to a nearby room and read the entire Correta Scott King letter aloud on Facebook Live. Already more than four million people have watched. Matt and Maria?
MARIA SHRIVER: Wow.
