Sen. Orrin Hatch (R., Utah) on Tuesday voiced his displeasure with his Democratic colleagues for refusing to show up to vote on two of President Trump's Cabinet nominees, calling their behavior unprecedented.
Democrats announced their decision to boycott votes on Steve Mnuchin, Trump's nominee for treasury secretary, and Rep. Tom Price (R., Ga.), Trump's choice for health and human services secretary, after they complained they did not have enough information on the two candidates.
Hatch was appalled that Democrats would hold up the votes on these two nominees, describing their action as "the most pathetic thing I’ve seen in my whole time in the United States Senate," which is notable as Hatch was first elected to the Senate in 1976.
"It's a sad time when this bipartisan committee has become a prop in a partisan sideshow," Hatch said. He added that the actions of Senate Democrats are even more objectionable because they have already announced their plans to vote against both Price and Mnuchin's nominations.
"I think they ought to stop posturing and acting like idiots. Stop holding news conferences and come here and express yourself here and then vote one way or the other," Hatch said, imploring his Senate colleagues to vote on Trump's nominees.
"What's the matter with the other party?" he asked rhetorically. "Are they that bitter about Donald Trump? The answer has to be yes, I guess."
In his statement, Hatch urged the press to focus on the significance of Democratic obstruction.
"I hope the media focuses on these empty chairs. Instead of being in here and doing their jobs, the Democrats are out there holding news conferences in the hallway," Hatch said.
"My gosh, to not be here and participate, that's a total abjection of their duties as senators, and I think it's pathetic," Hatch declared ending his speech.
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R., Ky.) has criticized Democrats for using tactics to delay confirming Trump's nominees, reminding Democrats that he and Senate Republicans confirmed nearly all of Obama's cabinet nominees by his second week in office.