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To the Editors,

Unanimous consent speeds up the Senate by avoiding time-consuming votes on routine business. Under the Trump administration, there is no routine business. Denying unanimous consent can’t stop Senate Republicans from doing anything, but, by requiring quorum calls and roll call votes, it can slow them down.

Delaying Senate business a few hours may not seem like much, but deployed as a strategy, it adds up. Imagine delaying the confirmation of RFK Jr. a week. Flu shot and mRna vaccine meetings might have happened. Another week of research on cures for pancreatic cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. Another paycheck to thousands of people who have devoted their lives to saving ours.

Imagine if Senate Democrats continue to add weeks of delays. Do we protect Medicare & Medicaid from Dr. Oz for another two weeks? A month? Do we protect the Department of Education from Linda McMahon for a month? Do the delays build until Congressional Republicans are compelled to come to the table and actually act like the separate branch of government the Constitution says they are?

The power of Congressional Democrats is limited, but it exists. If millions of Americans with all kinds of lives, obligations, and abilities can take to the streets, in all kinds of weather, in deep blue cities and deep red towns, and Cory Booker can hold the floor for 25 hours, Democrat Senators can shoulder the inconvenience of roll call voting for every single Senate action. Maybe it only buys us another day from the next wave of destruction. But that day might save someone’s life.

Josh Cook
Somerville