Tensions over Trump lead to Senate walkout
Tensions over the Trump administration bubbled over on the floor of the state Senate on Thursday as Republicans walked out after losing a procedural vote on a resolution to expand the attorney general’s powers to sue the federal government.
The resolution, which would allow the state’s top lawyer to sue the federal government without the permission of the governor, received preliminary approval after the walkout.
About two-thirds of the Senate’s 14 Republican members left the chamber after the Democratic majority refused to grant them a delay to further study the legislation and prepare amendments.
Such a delay, known as a special order, is typically granted as a courtesy. But Democrats said it was important to move ahead with the current resolution so Attorney General Brian E. Frosh could respond to the actions of President Donald J. Trump as quickly as possible.
Senators voted 28-18 to reject the delay and proceed to a final vote expected today.
Frosh, a Democrat, is seeking broad authority from the General Assembly to bring suit against what he sees as harmful actions by the Trump administration.
Under current law, Frosh would have to seek permission from Hogan, a Republican, to file a lawsuit.
A spokeswoman for Gov. Larry Hogan called the Senate’s action “exceptionally disappointing.”
“This despicable display of out-of-control partisanship is a new low for the self-interested politicians of the General Assembly, and does a deep disservice to the people of Maryland,” spokeswoman Amelia Chasse said.
Sen. Richard S. Madaleno Jr., the floor leader for the legislation, noted that the Maryland Constitution allows for either the Assembly or the governor to give permission for a suit. “We are exercising the powers that have been granted to us by the people in the Constitution,” the Mont- gomery County Democrat said.
Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller said attorneys general in 41 states already have independent power to bring suit.
As a joint resolution, the measure would take effect once passed by the Senate and the House. It would not be subject to veto.
A companion bill includes money for the attorney general’s office in future years. That measure is subject to veto, but the majority Democrats appear united enough to override the governor.
One of the Republicans who walked off, Sen. Robert G. Cassilly of Harford County, called the joint resolution “blatantly unconstitutional.”
Miller, a Calvert County Democrat who typically grants minority requests for delay, was unyielding.
“I just want to get the damn thing off the floor as quickly as possible,” he said. “It’s a very divisive issue.” nel District. Anderson identified the driver as Joseph Chen, 47, of Greenville, North Carolina. Anderson said investigators will determine if wind, or other factors such as a medical emergency, contributed to the crash on the 23-mile span. The truck faced no travel restrictions because wind conditions were between 40 mph to 47 mph, Anderson said. However, earlier in the day, wind speeds were as high as 60 mph, limiting travel to cars, pickup trucks and SUVs that weren’t hauling cargo, according to the bridge-tunnel’s website. The tractor-trailer drove off the bridge shortly before 12:30 p.m., and the driver was retrieved by the Navy a little after 1 p.m., said U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officer Corinne Zilnicki.