Kash Patel confirmed!

Kash Patel has been confirmed as the FBI director. Despite stupid antics from Susan Collins. By my count that's another win for president Trump and a big loss for Susan Collins.

Gorsuch confirmed after nuclear strike.

I could not let the day pass without sharing this. Neil Gorsuch has been confirmed to the Supreme Court after the Republicans had to invoke the nuclear option in order to do so.  This builds on Harry Reid's previous efforts to remove the filibuster option for all appointments excluding SCOTUS justices.  The filibuster has been a potent weapon used by Democrats with regularity but by Republicans pretty much never.  By removing the filibuster the Republicans have effectively levelled the playing field on confirmations since they were so reluctant in the past to use the weapon, Democrats cannot do so now either.

In theory the slowing effect of the Senate is a good thing.  But with respect to confirmations for other branches of government, it doesn't make a lot of sense.  This is a livable new reality given the restoration of the balance of the court.  Buh bye Merrick Garland.

Here's the finale of the roll call.  Enjoy.

Jeff Sessions confirmed as Attorney General

Youtube has/had it live - Jeff Sessions confirmation hearings (as of this posting 52-47, 1 outstanding on the roll call if I'm counting the Nays correctly):

Next up - Podesta for jail?  Or a pizza party first?

UPDATE - There was one senator who responded "Present".

UPDATE - Tom Price for Dept. HHS next.