The length of Booker’s speech grabbed headlines, but the senator’s media strategy helped sustain attention afterward while disrupting Trump’s public spotlight.
Articles on US Senate rules
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In some cases, long Senate speeches don’t produce clear results. In other cases, they can help pass or prevent new legislation.
Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama had used a long-standing Senate practice to block military promotions.
Mitch McConnell, who has announced he will step down from his role as Senate GOP leader, was an uncharismatic Kentucky lawyer who came to rule the Senate and remake the US Supreme Court.
Many states have found ways to remove partisan politics from their court systems.
This week marked the fiftieth anniversary of the senate vote to set up a system of committees to scrutinise government. In a time where question time is frequently farcical, such a system is essential.
No written law or rule requires the senators to remain silent on the issues. But it’s probably a good idea, and a promising sign of fairness.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell is known as a master of Senate rules. If the House impeaches President Trump, what could he do to influence the process – and outcome – of a trial?
Top contributors
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Associate Professor of Political Science, Rochester Institute of Technology; Institute for Humane Studies
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Associate Professor of Political Science, Westminster College
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Professor of Law, Texas A&M University
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Foundation Professor of History, Arizona State University
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Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra
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Professor and director emeritus, Institute for Rural Journalism, University of Kentucky
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Associate Professor of Political Science, Boise State University
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Associate Professor of Communication and Media Studies, Stetson University
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Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Culture, Ohio University