A Senate Judiciary Committee hearing descended into chaos Thursday, with Republican members criticizing Chairman Dick Durbin, saying that he will face "consequences" for not allowing GOP members to speak.
At the hearing, the committee was discussing judicial nominations and issues related to possible subpoenas for conservative donors, Harlan Crow and Leonard Leo. Both were recently named in reports saying they provided donations and gifts to Supreme Court Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
While speaking on judicial nominations, Durbin was interrupted by Republican Senator John Cornyn, who asked if more GOP members would be allowed input, prompting Durbin to say that members had already discussed the particular nominee "at great length."
Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn also chimed in, requesting to speak further on the nomination but she was quickly shut down by Durbin, prompting backlash from other Republicans.
"You'll have a lot of consequences if you go down this road," Arkansas Republican Senator Tom Cotton said. "I guess Senator Durbin isn't going to allow women to speak, I thought that was sacrosanct in your party."
Over the past several months, many have called for the Supreme Court to adopt an ethics code, following reports of justices accepting gifts from rich donors like Crow and Leo. Earlier this month, the Supreme Court announced a new code of conduct for justices to follow.
Durbin faced criticism from several other Republican members such as Cornyn, who said, "Mr. Chairman, you just destroyed one of the most important committees in the United States Senate."
"Congratulations on destroying the United States Senate Judiciary Committee," Cornyn added.
Senator Lindsey Graham added, "We want to tell you again why these nominees are awful."
Responding to Newsweek's request for comment, a spokesperson for Durbin's office said that the two former chairmen of the committee had previously violated a rule that allows for a roll call vote to be taken when all debate on a topic has ended.
"Chair Durbin has said time and again that there cannot be one set of rules that governs Republicans and a different set that governs Democrats. And so, consistent with the past actions of Republican Chairs, he proceeded with votes on the items on our agenda today," the spokesperson told Newsweek.
Kyle Griffin of MSNBC reported on X, formerly Twitter, that the committee "just voted to approve subpoenas for conservative activist Leonard Leo and GOP megadonor Harlan Crow in its Supreme Court ethics probe."
Newsweek reached out to Cotton's office on Thursday via email for comment.
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