In 1938, the idea of senators swaying in such synchronicity moved former president Herbert Hoover to a Nazi analogy. “Mr. Hitler also has a parliament,” said Hoover. “You may not know it. It was also once upon a time an independent arm of the German government. But Mr. Hitler has rearranged its function. I quote him: ‘Individual members may advise but never decide; that is the exclusive prerogative of the responsible president for the time being.’
