Republican senators are preparing to halt all legislative business in the Senate unless a full trial into the articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas is conducted, according to sources.
Approximately a dozen GOP senators have been strategizing for over a week to obstruct Senate proceedings if certain points of order are not agreed upon for the Mayorkas impeachment trial. These senators aim to force negotiations on the trial’s procedural aspects before it proceeds.
“The Senate runs on unanimous consent. Any one senator can do that,” revealed a Senate Republican aide familiar with the discussions.
The ongoing conversation among Republicans underscores the importance they place on establishing procedural guidelines for the impeachment trial. Senator Mike Lee of Utah explained that specific points of order need to be agreed upon before the trial can commence.
During a press conference on the Mayorkas impeachment, Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana highlighted concerns about Senate president pro tempore Patty Murray potentially limiting Republican participation in the proceedings.
Another Senate Republican aide confirmed that several senators support slowing or halting legislative business to address the impeachment trial.
While such disruptions are always possible, they are more likely if the impeachment articles are delivered this week, according to a top Senate Republican source. House Speaker Mike Johnson’s decision to delay the delivery until next week was influenced by pressure from GOP senators.
The appetite for such acts of protest within the Republican conference remains unclear. However, a Republican Senate lunch at the National Republican Senatorial Committee discussed the strategy, receiving significant support.
If implemented, the Senate standstill would involve objections to motions for adjournment, recess, and executive business, as well as procedural actions like reading from the journal. Republican senators could also object to moving forward on items through unanimous consent, including legislation and scheduling.
This plan aims to prompt Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Democrats to engage in negotiations on the Mayorkas impeachment trial. Senator Mike Lee’s objection during the Senate’s daily wrap-up on Monday signaled the beginning of Republican pushback against Democrats’ handling of the trial proceedings. Lee’s objection was intended to demonstrate the potential hurdles Republicans could introduce to the trial process.