New Mexico Senators read letter day after colleague was silenced

Washington, D.C. — New Mexico senators read a letter on the senate floor today even though one of their democratic colleagues was silenced for doing the same thing. The letter - written by Coretta Scott King in the 1980's - criticized Jeff Sessions record on voting rights when he was a federal prosecutor. He's a republican senator who President Trump nominated to be attorney general and was confirmed.

Democratic Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren was silenced for reading the letter yesterday by republicans who cited a rule that basically doesn't allow you to question the honesty of another senator.

Today New Mexico senators Tom Udall and Martin Heinrich read it without opposition. Senator Udall says Senator Warren shouldn't of been stopped while other republicans say she was being disrespectful.

"I've sat here and listened to the distinguished senator from Massachusetts, who went on and on and on. Much of her remarks were criticizing a fellow colleague in the senate. I don't know about the other side, but i find it offensive," said Senator Orrin Hatch of Utah.

Udall said, "I think (Warren) had some other hard hitting things to say and the majority leader cut her off, not a good situation."

In the 1986 letter, Coretta Scott King said Sessions' actions as a federal prosecutor were "reprehensible" and he used his office to intimidate and frighten elderly black voters." At the time, Sessions was being considered for a federal judgeship.