{"articles":[{"reaction_config":[{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},{"text":"Maybe","color":"#edb723","stance":"maybe"},{"text":"No","color":"#4ac6ec","stance":"no"}],"id":15234,"title":"Bill Protecting Special Counsel Probe Blocked On Senate Floor","html_content":"

by Causes | 11.14.18

Senators Jeff Flake (R-AZ) and Chris Coons (D-DE) took to the floor Wednesday afternoon in an effort to force the Senate to take up a bill aimed at protecting Special Counsel Robert Mueller’s investigation, only to be thwarted by Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY).

Flake and Coons asked for unanimous consent to bring up the Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act, authored by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), for debate and a vote. They believe the legislation is needed to protect Mueller’s investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election, following Jeff Sessions’ resignation and Matt Whitaker’s appointment as acting attorney general.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) objected to the unanimous consent request, having said at a press conference earlier in the day that the “Mueller investigation is not under threat,” so the bill is unnecessary.

Both Flake and Coons said they will continue trying to bring the bill up, and Flake said he intends to vote against judicial nominees both in committee and on the Senate floor until the special counsel protection bill gets a vote.

What does the bill do?

The Special Counsel Independence and Integrity Act would:

Specify that a special counsel can only be disciplined or fired by an Attorney General who has been confirmed by the Senate, or the most senior Dept. of Justice (DOJ) official who isn’t recused from the matter.
A special counsel could only be removed for misconduct, dereliction of duty, incapacity, conflict of interest, or other good cause including violations of DOJ policies.
The special counsel would have to be informed in writing of the reason for their removal and could request a judicial review of their firing within 10 days.
A legal challenge filed by a fired special counsel would have to be heard by a three-judge panel within 14 days of filing, which could find the special counsel’s termination to be justified or in violation of the good cause requirement, in which case the special counsel would be reinstated.
The special counsel could appeal to remain in office while proceedings are pending with the court making a determination.
All staffing, documents, and materials of the investigation would be preserved while the matter is pending.

The bill was approved by the Senate Judiciary Committee on a bipartisan 14-7 vote in April 2018.

Should Congress vote on a special counsel protection bill? Tell your lawmakers and share your thoughts below!

— Eric Revell

(Photo Credit: iStock.com / uschools)

","image_urls":{"large":"https://ul.countable.us/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/e8eddf/iStock-187305412.jpg","medium":"https://ul.countable.us/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/e8eddf/iStock-187305412.jpg","small":"https://ul.countable.us/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/e8eddf/iStock-187305412.jpg","thumb":"https://ul.countable.us/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/e8eddf/iStock-187305412.jpg","xsmall":"https://ul.countable.us/ul/q_auto/uploads/akW3yomg/e8eddf/iStock-187305412.jpg"},"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/articles/15234-bill-protecting-special-counsel-probe-blocked-senate-floor","article_comments":"https://www.causes.com/api/articles/15234-bill-protecting-special-counsel-probe-blocked-senate-floor/comments"},"comment_count":536,"action_count":3758,"cta_prompt":"Should the bill get a vote?","cta_type":"reactions","share_count":39,"published_at":"2018-11-14T21:45:22.676Z","is_countable_article":true,"allow_advocacy":true,"profile_id":1,"signed":false,"signatures_count":null,"signatures_goal":100,"signable_progress":0,"video_url":null,"video_dimensions":null,"video_aspect_ratio":null}],"users":[{"name":"Zero","vote_count":251,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/e9XKvYLm/following","followers":"/api/users/e9XKvYLm/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":3,"is_following":null,"influence_score":30,"influence_level":10,"follower_count":2,"following_count":0,"position_count":8,"id":"e9XKvYLm","partner_id":null},{"name":"Pally-Z","vote_count":51,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/aW5aMJkW/following","followers":"/api/users/aW5aMJkW/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"pally-z","issue_count":39,"is_following":null,"influence_score":190,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":1,"following_count":3,"position_count":24,"id":"aW5aMJkW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Tracy","vote_count":399,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/10154748744278928/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/10154748744278928/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/10154748744278928/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/10154748744278928/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/1Zx7VjlW/following","followers":"/api/users/1Zx7VjlW/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":49,"is_following":null,"influence_score":820,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":28,"following_count":4,"position_count":288,"id":"1Zx7VjlW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Page","vote_count":483,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdPNapW/large_gwdpnapw-1544144089.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdPNapW/small_gwdpnapw-1544144089.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdPNapW/tiny_gwdpnapw-1544144089.jpg"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/GWdPNapW/following","followers":"/api/users/GWdPNapW/followers"},"about_me":"I am the Lorax. I speak for the trees.","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":18,"is_following":null,"influence_score":2110,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":78,"following_count":16,"position_count":227,"id":"GWdPNapW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Walter","vote_count":45,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/aW5N1LbZ/following","followers":"/api/users/aW5N1LbZ/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":8,"is_following":null,"influence_score":480,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":22,"following_count":12,"position_count":43,"id":"aW5N1LbZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"Sandy ","vote_count":282,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/10209241479455817/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/10209241479455817/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/10209241479455817/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/10209241479455817/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/7907BYwm/following","followers":"/api/users/7907BYwm/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":1,"is_following":null,"influence_score":330,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":12,"following_count":20,"position_count":2,"id":"7907BYwm","partner_id":null},{"name":"Sara","vote_count":728,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208322596769217/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208322596769217/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208322596769217/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208322596769217/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/8ZkBwVOW/following","followers":"/api/users/8ZkBwVOW/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":12,"is_following":null,"influence_score":400,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":10,"following_count":7,"position_count":12,"id":"8ZkBwVOW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Dave","vote_count":745,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdy50zZ/large_gwdy50zz-1586197348.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdy50zZ/small_gwdy50zz-1586197348.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/GWdy50zZ/tiny_gwdy50zz-1586197348.jpg"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/GWdy50zZ/following","followers":"/api/users/GWdy50zZ/followers"},"about_me":"\"To give up your freedom for security, you end up with neither.\" \"Pardoning the Bad, is injuring the Good.” “He that lies down with Dogs, shall rise up with fleas.” “Don’t throw stones at your neighbors, if you live in a glass house.” \n“Love your Enemies, for they tell you your Faults.” \"Well done is better than well said.” Benjamin Franklin \"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.\" FDR \"Give me liberty, or give me death!\" Patrick Henry \"If you don't stand for something, you will fall for anything.\" Peter Marshall \"You can’t understand someone until you’ve walked a mile in their shoes.” Unknown. We are all flying on this rock together.","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":119,"is_following":null,"influence_score":2960,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":91,"following_count":0,"position_count":737,"id":"GWdy50zZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"Bakerswild","vote_count":582,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208787321254524/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208787321254524/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208787321254524/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/10208787321254524/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/AmpOXBGZ/following","followers":"/api/users/AmpOXBGZ/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":"","facebook_id":"","youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"bakerswild","issue_count":0,"is_following":null,"influence_score":1090,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":39,"following_count":36,"position_count":269,"id":"AmpOXBGZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"L","vote_count":295,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/BWYwjwrm/following","followers":"/api/users/BWYwjwrm/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":18,"is_following":null,"influence_score":300,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":9,"following_count":5,"position_count":16,"id":"BWYwjwrm","partner_id":null},{"name":"Charles","vote_count":42,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/5mblnlgW/following","followers":"/api/users/5mblnlgW/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":9,"is_following":null,"influence_score":30,"influence_level":10,"follower_count":1,"following_count":4,"position_count":8,"id":"5mblnlgW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Johnelle","vote_count":215,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/825287634275899/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/825287634275899/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/825287634275899/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/825287634275899/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/A9GqqjPZ/following","followers":"/api/users/A9GqqjPZ/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":19,"is_following":null,"influence_score":290,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":8,"following_count":8,"position_count":174,"id":"A9GqqjPZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"Lisa","vote_count":391,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/1ZxLPKdZ/large_1zxlpkdz-1532209856.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/1ZxLPKdZ/small_1zxlpkdz-1532209856.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/1ZxLPKdZ/tiny_1zxlpkdz-1532209856.jpg"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/1ZxLPKdZ/following","followers":"/api/users/1ZxLPKdZ/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":67,"is_following":null,"influence_score":2280,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":89,"following_count":50,"position_count":375,"id":"1ZxLPKdZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"Elizabeth","vote_count":109,"photos":{"large":"https://graph.facebook.com/10212885638714769/picture?width=150&height=150","small":"https://graph.facebook.com/10212885638714769/picture?width=75&height=75","tiny":"https://graph.facebook.com/10212885638714769/picture?width=20&height=20","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/10212885638714769/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/GWdazKbZ/following","followers":"/api/users/GWdazKbZ/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":13,"is_following":null,"influence_score":270,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":10,"following_count":6,"position_count":64,"id":"GWdazKbZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"burrkitty","vote_count":1159,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/8mrvqvpm/large_8mrvqvpm-1581212707.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/8mrvqvpm/small_8mrvqvpm-1581212707.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/8mrvqvpm/tiny_8mrvqvpm-1581212707.jpg","facebook":"https://graph.facebook.com/724966854372469/picture"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/8mrvqvpm/following","followers":"/api/users/8mrvqvpm/followers"},"about_me":"You may have to confront the risk, the possibility, of your own death. Since the day you were born, that’s always been on the cards. Most of us find it easier to bury our heads in the sand. Avoidance is the #1 most popular coping strategy in the world. We live in denial of the self-evident fact that we all die eventually. The Stoics believed that when we’re confronted with our own mortality, and grasp its implications, that can change our perspective on life quite dramatically. Any of us could die at any moment. Life doesn’t go on forever. If you say that you won't vote in the general election if your candidate doesn't win the nomination, you're saying to millions of people you think their suffering is an appropriate price for your righteous indignation.\nThere is NO moral justification for sitting out this election. IRL I am an environmental hydrogeologist. I specialize in municipal stormwater management and karst groundwater systems. You can deny the effects of anthropogenic forced global climate change all day, but when your water well salts up, your streets and yards flood, or your house falls in a sinkhole or gets crushed by a landslide you will be calling me for help like I am the GD Batman.","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"burrkitty","issue_count":139,"is_following":null,"influence_score":15140,"influence_level":40,"follower_count":512,"following_count":40,"position_count":987,"id":"8mrvqvpm","partner_id":null},{"name":"Sandra","vote_count":400,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/49Nx4akZ/large_49nx4akz-1589993002.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/49Nx4akZ/small_49nx4akz-1589993002.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/49Nx4akZ/tiny_49nx4akz-1589993002.jpg"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/49Nx4akZ/following","followers":"/api/users/49Nx4akZ/followers"},"about_me":"Mother, grandmother, former med. asst., cake decorator, author, poet, conservationist, animal lover","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":0,"is_following":null,"influence_score":2580,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":111,"following_count":329,"position_count":386,"id":"49Nx4akZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"CaptainAmericaFan108","vote_count":202,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/P9odrybW/following","followers":"/api/users/P9odrybW/followers"},"about_me":"Mom, Democrat, Christian, STEM enthusiast, Drafter. We must care for those that need us. THAT is what USED to make our country great. Hoping we can go back to the way it was before January 2017 -\n the hate-free country we used to have. Peace, love and caring. ❤️💙✌️🙏","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"captainamericafan108","issue_count":37,"is_following":null,"influence_score":270,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":9,"following_count":6,"position_count":32,"id":"P9odrybW","partner_id":null},{"name":"Maryjane","vote_count":689,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/e9XKj1qm/following","followers":"/api/users/e9XKj1qm/followers"},"about_me":"","twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":48,"is_following":null,"influence_score":3365,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":131,"following_count":75,"position_count":108,"id":"e9XKj1qm","partner_id":null},{"name":"RobinT","vote_count":17,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-flags.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-flags.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-flags.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/A9GMwLMZ/following","followers":"/api/users/A9GMwLMZ/followers"},"about_me":"","twitter_id":"","facebook_id":"","youtube_id":"","google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"robint","issue_count":137,"is_following":null,"influence_score":30,"influence_level":10,"follower_count":1,"following_count":8,"position_count":0,"id":"A9GMwLMZ","partner_id":null},{"name":"Dena","vote_count":51,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/9zoaN0eR/following","followers":"/api/users/9zoaN0eR/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":0,"is_following":null,"influence_score":95,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":2,"following_count":1,"position_count":21,"id":"9zoaN0eR","partner_id":null},{"name":"Debby","vote_count":6,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-2.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/90oRrrxR/following","followers":"/api/users/90oRrrxR/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":2,"is_following":null,"influence_score":60,"influence_level":20,"follower_count":2,"following_count":0,"position_count":0,"id":"90oRrrxR","partner_id":null},{"name":"M","vote_count":161,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/default-with-hat.png"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/mwoKXop3/following","followers":"/api/users/mwoKXop3/followers"},"about_me":null,"twitter_id":null,"facebook_id":null,"youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":null,"issue_count":17,"is_following":null,"influence_score":870,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":30,"following_count":94,"position_count":58,"id":"mwoKXop3","partner_id":null},{"name":"FieryFierce","vote_count":119,"photos":{"large":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/WdB5GkY3/large_wdb5gky3-1605171296.jpg","small":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/WdB5GkY3/small_wdb5gky3-1605171296.jpg","tiny":"https://assets.causes.com/user/avatar/WdB5GkY3/tiny_wdb5gky3-1605171296.jpg"},"links":{"following":"/api/users/WdB5GkY3/following","followers":"/api/users/WdB5GkY3/followers"},"about_me":"Character is everything..","twitter_id":"FierceFiery","facebook_id":"kbonesmith","youtube_id":null,"google_plus_id":null,"website":null,"slug":"fieryfierce","issue_count":12,"is_following":null,"influence_score":825,"influence_level":30,"follower_count":30,"following_count":27,"position_count":82,"id":"WdB5GkY3","partner_id":null}],"article_comment":{"flagged":false,"id":597236,"body":"Didn't I just read about Mitch complaining about the Democrats possibly putting party over country? ","parent_type":"Article","parent_id":15234,"created_at":"2018-11-14T21:55:05.282Z","liked":false,"like_count":22,"links":{"self":"https://www.causes.com/comments/597236","likers":"https://www.causes.com/api/v1/likers?likeable_id=597236&likeable_type=Comment"},"article_id":15234,"shareable_image_url":"https://n.causes.com/share-images/comments/597236.png","note":{"text":"Yes","color":"#624960","stance":"yes"},"note_text":"Yes","note_color":"#624960","user_id":"e9XKvYLm","liker_ids":["aW5aMJkW","1Zx7VjlW","GWdPNapW","aW5N1LbZ","7907BYwm","8ZkBwVOW","GWdy50zZ","AmpOXBGZ","BWYwjwrm","5mblnlgW","A9GqqjPZ","1ZxLPKdZ","GWdazKbZ","8mrvqvpm","49Nx4akZ","P9odrybW","e9XKj1qm","A9GMwLMZ","9zoaN0eR","90oRrrxR","mwoKXop3","WdB5GkY3"]}}

Like Causes?

Comment Liked by 22 Users