Senate Dems launch talkathon on Trump’s refugee order

Democrats kept the Senate in late Monda night as they held a more than three-hour protest of President Trump’s order temporarily banning immigrants from seven Muslim-majority countries entering the U.S.

Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), the Senate’s top Democrat, wrapped up the talkathon at approximately 10:47 p.m., roughly three and a half hours after senators took over the Senate floor.

Schumer argued that Trump is “tramping upon” the idea that America welcomes immigrants.

“This [executive order] makes us less safe. It was poorly done in slipshod, quick way that foretells real trouble in the White House,” he said from the Senate floor. “Please Mr. President, reconsider. … Don’t just tweet. Don’t just get mad. Don’t just call names.”

Including Schumer, nine Democratic members participated in the marathon of speeches, with Sens. Dick Durbin (Ill.) and Jeff Merkley (Ore.) kicking off the floor speeches urging the president to drop the executive order that sparked protest across the country over the weekend.

Durbin, the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat, said less than two weeks into the Trump era, the country is experiencing “tumultuous days.”

“Candidate Trump had made it clear that he had strong feelings about refugees, strong feelings about immigration, but I don’t think anyone anticipated the executive orders that were issued by the Trump administration,” Durbin said.

He added that Trump was using “fear, unreasoned fear, unproven fear” to push his executive order that blocks the immigrants and bans refugees from Syria.

{mosads}The floor speeches comes as the Senate is burning through 30 hours of debate on Rex Tillerson’s nomination to lead the State Department.

Merkley added from the Senate floor that “lady liberty is crying tonight.”

“Millions of American are coming out … to speak out and say this is not America, this is not us. Change that, tear down this ban,” he said. “Mr. President, tear down this ban that has slammed the door on refugees.”

In addition to Merkley, Schumer and Durbin, Democratic Sens. Richard Blumenthal(Conn.), Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) Michael Bennet (Colo.), Cory Booker (N.J.) and Chris Murphy (Conn.) spoke from the Senate floor.

Warren called the the order a “crisis” and specifically called out House Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Vice President Mike Pence, who spoke against against a “Muslim ban” during the campaign.

“Where are you now Paul Ryan? … You have the power where are you?” Warren asked from the Senate floor. “Today these Republican leaders will not stand up for what is right.”

Booker praised Warren’s speech as she left the floor, noting that in addition to speaking from the Senate chamber, he has “also watched her speak in the streets, speak at airports, speak at rallies.”

“She is one of those people who, like so many Americans .. [who] is saying with a chorus of conviction that they will not be silenced when the cause of our country is at stake,” he said.

Matt House, a spokesman for Schumer, noted that “a number of members” want to join the action.

The floor speeches came after congressional Democrats rallied Monday evening outside of the Supreme Court with thousands of supporters urging Trump to rescind his executive order.

Democrats have introduced legislation to undo Trump’s executive order, but they face an uphill battle in a GOP-controlled Congress. Though dozens of Republicans have voiced concerns about the measure, none have said they would vote for legislation that unraveled it.

Schumer tried to get a vote on Monday night on a bill from Sen. Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) but was blocked by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.).

The White House fired its own shots on Monday, with press secretary Sean Spicer arguing the administration had a “very short period of time” to act.

“What happened if we didn’t act and somebody was killed?” he asked on “Morning Joe.” “We act now to protect the future.”

Trump also defended the order arguing if they had publicly given a heads up “the ‘bad’ would rush into our country during that week.”

Updated 11:07 p.m.