The Minority Leader and the Ranking Member of the Environment and Public Works Committee received this email from Senator Barbara Boxer in the middle of the night:
Dear Senators McConnell and Inhofe,
I’m writing to sincerely apologize for what happened tonight. I abused my power, and showed a lack of respect for the work we all did together until late in the night. It was irresponsible and a violation of trust for me to adjourn without considering more legislation, and to unfairly use the parliamentary power I was granted for legislative ends.
I want to extend an additional apology for my ill-judged action as committee chair. It is my sole responsibility to maintain order, decorum, and a fair environment for our committee. Tonight, I failed in that capacity. I sincerely apologize.
I truly hope that we can put this incident in perspective. I’m confident that we can all benefit by coming back together and working through the legislation that we all worked hard on. My view is that the best approach would be for a few people from each caucus to get together before the simulation, and figure out a road map to get your legislation on the floor. Of course, please let me know if you have any other ideas.
Again, I extend my sincerest apologies, and please convey my sentiments to the rest of your caucus.
All the best,
Senator Barbara Boxer
The Minority Leader says he is consulting with his leadership and his caucus, and is considering several options. While Senator McConnell appreciates the apology, he views it as less than adequate. "The procedures that adjourned the EPW committee were clearly premeditated," Mr. McConnell said. "It's one thing to apologize for doing something you didn't mean to. It's an entirely different thing to apologize for something you meant to do and don't like the blowback of. The American people and the people of Kentucky understand that. Why can't EPW Democrats?
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