Massachusetts Senate Democrats use informal session to slam Trump administration; “America is becoming unrecognizable”

BOSTON – Informal sessions in the Massachusetts legislature aren’t known for a lot of activity. That didn’t stop some on Beacon Hill from voicing their displeasure toward the current administration in Washington D.C.

According to Chris Lisinski of State House News Service, Senate Democrats spent more than two hours Monday slamming the Trump administration, devoting lengthy speeches to their concerns about immigration law enforcement.

Lisinski stated that Senate President Karen Spilka, who typically does not attend informal sessions, kicked off the trend before 13 of her colleagues added remarks of their own. Saying “America is becoming unrecognizable,” Spilka added, “I’m afraid we are entering a dark chapter of our nation’s history.”

The Senate did not advance any resolution or legislation related to the concerns about Trump, and the only concrete action at Monday’s session was adding to the record one report from the Parole Board and another from the comptroller’s office.

Senators plan another informal session Thursday.

Republican Senator Kelly Dooner of Taunton was the only senator in the chamber at 11:00 a.m.

An informal session typically considers routine, non-controversial matters without taking roll call votes. These sessions are typically held on Mondays and Thursdays and are used to finalize routine business where attendance is limited.

Immigration and its recent enforcement have become a hot button issue that has divided many Republicans and Democrats.

According to the Associated Press, a recent survey from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds that 46% of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of immigration.