Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) rose on Tuesday and objected to a speech Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) was giving in opposition to the nomination of Sen. Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) as attorney general. McConnell took particular issue with Warren as she quoteda letter written by Coretta Scott King, Martin Luther King Jr.s widow, when Sessions was under consideration for a federal judgeship in 1986.McConnell invoked the little-used Rule XIX, which says that No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator. Kings letter argues that, during Sessionstime as a prosecutor in Alabama, Mr. Sessions has used the awesome power of his office to chill the free exercise of the vote by black citizens.It was that portion of the letter that McConnell read back to the presiding officer, arguing that it was over the line.The Republican presiding in the chair, Sen. Steve Daines of Montana, agreed with McConnell, ruling her in violation of the order and forcing her to sit down.I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate, Warren replied.A vote was then held on Warrens appeal of the ruling of the chair, and Republicans prevailed. Under the rules, she would be barred from speaking during the remaining 30 hours of the Sessions debate.Democrats then asked that, notwithstanding the ruling of the chair, her speaking privileges be restored, and McConnell called for a vote on the request. The story is developing.Watch a clip of the exchange above.Its a sad day in America when the words of Martin Luther King Jr.s widow are not allowed on the floor of the United States Senate, Donna Brazile, interim chairwoman of the Democratic National Committee, said after the vote to silence Warren. Let Elizabeth Warren speak. The American people deserve to hear how Jeff Sessions is an extremist who will be a rubber stamp for this out-of-control Trump presidency.Others weighed in on Twitter with a #letlizspeak hashtag.Tonight GOP stopped @SenWarren from reading a letter by Coretta Scott King on the Senate floor. This is unacceptable. #LetLizSpeak https://t.co/9FqYhywN35 Jim McGovern (@RepMcGovern) February 8, 2017 Warrens speech was part of an effort by Democrats to hold the Senate floor for 24 hours in protest of Sessions nomination, as they did Monday night ahead of Betsy DeVos confirmation as education secretary.The Senate is set to vote on Sessions confirmation Wednesday.I spoke out about @SenatorSessions ' until @SenateMajLdr McConnell decided to silence me. https://t.co/qbty7x0iLl Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017 -- This feed and its contents are the property of The Huffington Post, and use is subject to our terms. It may be used for personal consumption, but may not be distributed on a website.
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