Following their efforts on Monday night to oppose the confirmation of education secretary Betsy DeVos, Senate Democrats again took to the Senate floor for an all-nighter on Tuesday in protest of senator and attorney general nominee Jeff Sessions.

In order to illustrate why she believes Sessions is not fit to serve as attorney general, Sen. Elizabeth Warren chose to read a damning letter from Coretta Scott King — the widow of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. — asking Congress to block Sessions' 1986 nomination to become a federal judge. In the letter, King stated, "I believe his confirmation would have a devastating effect on not only the judicial system in Alabama, but also on the progress we have made toward fulfilling my husband’s dream." As The Washington Post reports, King's letter and opposition to Sessions ended up being crucial in keeping him from being confirmed.

But when Warren repeated King's words on the Senate floor Tuesday night, she received a warning from presiding officer Sen. Steve Daines that she was violating Rule 19 of the Senate:

No Senator in debate shall, directly or indirectly, by any form of words impute to another Senator or to other Senators any conduct or motive unworthy or unbecoming a Senator.

In response, Warren expressed her surprise that King's words should be considered a "violation." She was then allowed to continue after agreeing to be wary of the rule. But just a few minutes later, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell interrupted her — stating she had "impugned the motives and conduct of our colleague from Alabama ... I call the senator to order under the provisions of Rule 19."

"I am surprised that the words of Coretta Scott King are not suitable for debate in the United States Senate," Warren immediately countered. "I ask leave of the Senate to continue my remarks."

In response, Daines asked if there were any objections from the Senate, and McConnell said that there was. Warren was then asked to take her seat, despite appealing McConnell's ruling.

Not long after, Warren took to Twitter to express her bewilderment and anger over what had happened.

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Tonight on the Senate floor, I tried to speak about why @SenatorSessions is totally unfit to serve as Attorney General. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

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On the floor, I read a letter that Coretta Scott King wrote in 1986 opposing @SenatorSessions's judicial nomination: https://t.co/mnACXekh8f — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

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I spoke out about @SenatorSessions – until @SenateMajLdr McConnell decided to silence me. https://t.co/qbty7x0iLl — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

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I will not be silent about a nominee for AG who has made derogatory & racist comments that have no place in our justice system. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

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I will not be silent while the Republicans rubber stamp an AG who will never stand up to the @POTUS when he breaks the law. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

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Tonight @SenateMajLdr silenced Mrs King's voice on the Sen floor - & millions who are afraid & appalled by what's happening in our country. — Elizabeth Warren (@SenWarren) February 8, 2017

"I spoke out about Senator Sessions — until Senate Majority Leader McConnell decided to silence me," she wrote. "I will not be silent about a nominee for AG who has made derogatory and racist comments that have no place in our justice system. I will not be silent while the Republicans rubber stamp an AG who will never stand up to the POTUS when he breaks the law."

"Tonight Senate Majority Leader McConnell silenced Mrs. King's voice on the Senate floor — and millions who are afraid and appalled by what's happening in our country," she continued.

Before long, Warren's fellow Senate Democrats also rallied behind her on social media, demanding that the Senate #LetLizSpeak.

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RT now if you believe it is wrong for the GOP to silence @SenWarren for trying to read a letter from Coretta Scott King. #LetLizSpeak — Kamala Harris (@KamalaHarris) February 8, 2017

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This just happened: @SenateGOP censured @senwarren for reading letter from Coretta Scott King. Unbelievable. RT if you agree: #LetLizSpeak! — Senator Jeff Merkley (@SenJeffMerkley) February 8, 2017

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This is about the people & families we represent. #LetLizSpeak https://t.co/4OkjXX49TT — Senator Patty Murray (@PattyMurray) February 8, 2017

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#LetLizSpeak. RT @SenWarren On the floor, I read a letter Coretta Scott King wrote in 1986 opposing @SenatorSessions's judicial nomination: pic.twitter.com/CXkBxqLOf3 — Senator Bob Menendez (@SenatorMenendez) February 8, 2017

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This letter caused the GOP to silence @SenWarren tonight. Rt if you think they should #LetLizSpeak https://t.co/YSdugxE6Kr — Chuck Schumer (@SenSchumer) February 8, 2017

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.@SenateMajLdr won't #LetLizSpeak because he can't deny what Coretta Scott King had to say about Senator Sessions #StopSessions pic.twitter.com/pS1l6CklTJ — Senator Mazie Hirono (@maziehirono) February 8, 2017

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It’s unacceptable & inappropriate that @SenWarren was stopped from reading a letter by Coretta Scott King on the Senate floor #LetLizSpeak pic.twitter.com/etP0ZCQlAy — Sen. Maggie Hassan (@SenatorHassan) February 8, 2017

A couple hours later, Congressman Cedric Richmond — chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus — also released a scathing statement in response to McConnell's decision to invoke Rule 19 while Warren was reading King's letter.

"Republican senators’ decision tonight to silence Coretta Scott King from the grave is disgusting and disgraceful," he said. "Mrs. King's characterization of then U.S. Attorney Senator Sessions was accurate in 1986 and it is accurate now. He is as much of a friend to the black community and civil rights as Bull Connor and the other Good Old Boys were during the Civil Rights Movement."

McConnell has not yet released a statement in response.

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Gina Mei I'm Gina, the night editor here at Cosmopolitan.com!

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