can the Repubs get 4 to be there for the next session
have them call the role etc... ?
All 49 Repubs would have to show up to the Senate just as Webb was hammering the gavel, but before he finished his 9 second speech.
As they walked in, VP Cheney would have to take the gavel from Webb to act as President of the Senate (his official title whenever he is in the Senate Chambers).
49 Repubs plus Webb is 50 Senators, the Constitutional requirement for a quorom.
With VP Cheney holding the gavel, the GOP Senate (it would be a GOP senate at that point) could pass whatever bill they desired, approve whatever judge (include a SCOTUS justice) they desired, etc.
So that's why Webb is trying to keep his Senate session brief (9 seconds!). This little trick of the Dems to keep the Senate in "session" while the rest are off on holiday vacations could backfire on them if the GOP unified and played sneaky hardball.