Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Democrats Boycott Price's Hearing, Saying He Misled American People
The Washington Post: Democrats Boycott Confirmation Hearings For Price And Mnuchin, Blocking Votes
Democrats intensified their opposition to President Trump’s executive order banning immigration from seven Muslim-majority countries on Tuesday by further delaying the confirmation of several of his Cabinet nominees amid strong Republican objections. Hours after Trump fired Acting Attorney General Sally Yates for refusing to defend his executive order banning certain immigrants and refugees, Democrats lashed out during hearings held to approve Trump’s choices to lead the departments of Justice and Treasury — or didn’t show up at all. (O'Keefe, Demirjian and Sullivan, 1/31)
The Hill: Dems Boycott Confirmation Votes For Trump Nominees
Senate Democrats on Tuesday refused to attend a committee vote on two of President Trump’s more controversial nominees, effectively delaying their consideration. Democrats on the Senate Finance Committee boycotted votes to advance Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.), Trump’s pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services, and Steven Mnuchin, his selection to head the Treasury Department. The pair had been among some of the more contentious selections to join Trump’s Cabinet. (Schroeder, 1/31)
Reuters: Senate Democrats Boycott Committee Vote On Mnuchin, Price
Democrats said they were delaying the vote because they wanted more information on Price's stock trades in an Australian medical company and reports that Mnuchin's former bank, OneWest, used automated "robosignings" of foreclosures, which apparently contradicted statements he made to senators. (1/31)
Huffington Post: Senate Democrats Boycott Confirmation Votes On Two Top Trump Nominees
Senate Republicans were outraged, throwing their plans to quickly confirm Trump’s nominees into disarray. “This is one of the most alarming things I’ve seen in my 40 years in the U.S. Senate,” Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) said in the Senate Finance Committee hearing Tuesday. “There isn’t a fellow on the other side I do not care for. Normally they’re very honorable and decent people. That’s why it’s so shocking to me that they’re not here when we’ve given them every opportunity to be here. ... That’s not only ridiculous, it’s offensive.” (Terkel and Stein, 1/31)
