In 1856 Massachusetts Senator Charles Sumner was beaten with a cane on the floor of the US Senate by Representative Preston Brooks, in an attempt to still his voice. On Tuesday, instead of a cane, Senator Mitch McConnell used Rule 19 to attempt to silence Massachusets Senator Elizabeth Warren. He is also unlikely to succeed. Perhaps this can be considered progress in civil behavior in the Senate, but I believe my favorite Republican, Abraham Lincoln, would weep.

James Moyer

Cambridge