Republicans Suspend Committee Rules to Break Democratic Boycott, Advance Price’s Confirmation

In response to a Democratic boycott, Republicans temporarily changed committee rules to push through President Trump’s picks to lead HHS and the Treasury. The confirmations of Rep. Tom Price (R-Ga.) and Steven Mnuchin now move to the Senate floor.

Democratic senators on the Finance Committee had refused to show up for votes. The committee’s rules require that at least one member of each party be present for work to proceed, but Republican members suspended the rule and then approved the designees with two 14-0 votes.