Republicans Walk Out On Procedural Matter

[ProSense]

Friday, August 03, 2007

Republicans Walk Out On Procedural Matter

- by Kyle E. Moore -

In what Politico calls an "unprecedented low", Republicans late last night walked out of the chamber in the midst of a incredibly close vote partially tied to illegal immigration.

The vote was gaveled closed by Rep. McNulty whith the results still in dispute. Republicans say they had an extremely narrow lead of 215 to 213, while Democratic leadership called it at a tie. Amid vast protest, there was even talk of reopening the vote, but the already incensed Republicans staged a walk out.

But Politico gets it wrong in one aspect. This isn't unprecedented. Indeed, there's plenty of precedent, for instance, back in the summer of '05, Republicans stormed out after Democrats wanted to actually, you know, debate the Patriot act. And again, this time only in committee, Republican members staged a mini walkout over voting machines.

Because this is incredibly mature behavior of our elected officials. Not that Democrats are above criticism here, gavelling a measure closed before the voting results is clear is not a good thing, but from the sounds of it, Dems were moving to rectify the situation. Walking out, on the other hand, is something even my three-year-old knows better than.

This is what they do. For as long as I can remember the Republicans play the role of the ultimate victim. They have duped millions of Americans into thinking they are fighting an evil, imperialistic, liberal cloud of despair. They employ dirty trick after dirty trick, but the moment anything, even honest mistakes, are leveled upon them, they all of a sudden are the damsel in distress.

They are the political equivalent, in short, of Dennis Rodman.

The only thing I really wanna know is if Rep. Boehner cried again, wouldn't that be fun?

[Ian David]

1. We should call an "Emergency" session of Congress to vote on bills during the 2007 RNC. n/t

[nebenaube]

2. awesome idea!!!!! n/t

[ProSense]

3. Kick! n/t

[donkeyotay]

4. This is why I come here to check on the news, because I got a very different picture

off TV this morning. The Repubs were on C-Span and their version was that the Democrats had held open the vote until they twisted a couple of arms, and THEN the Republicans walked out in protest. They made it sound like the Dems had done the same as what they did on the medicare bill - holding the vote open until the right vote count was there. They also made it sound like they were standing up for the American people while they Dems were selling us out to some special interest. It will make a compelling ad this fall.

[Supersedeas]

5. get the damned facts out the Dems -- ya look damned silly sitting on your hands

[SaveOurDemocracy]

6. I heard Leahy make a statement yesterday ...

thanking the Judiciary members for attending the session rather than boycotting it. Had there been a threatened boycott by the whinority?

[checks-n-balances]

9. The "whinority" - Love it!!

:rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:

[ProSense]

7. Kick! n/t

[ProSense]

8. Chaos! Outrage! Politics as usual

Chaos! Outrage! Politics as usual

By Libby

The Politico shows its alleged non-partisan political stripes today in their colorful description of the hijinks in the House last night.

In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions (video link courtesy Breitbart.tv), Republicans walked out on a House vote late Thursday night to protest what they believed to be Democratic maneuvers to reverse an unfavorable outcome for them.

The flap represents a complete breakdown in parliamentary procedure and an unprecedented low for the sometimes bitterly divided chamber.

Unprecendented low? How soon the Politico forgets. For a publication that bills itself as the ultimate professional Beltway insiders, it seems rather odd they would have omitted a little historical reference that sprang immediately in all the amateurs' minds. James Joyner, who couldn't be called liberal by any stretch of the imagination recalls a similar incident.

<...>

Not that this stopped GOP Rep. Cantor from shrieking the sky is falling...

An outrage. Is this a democracy or a dictatorship?

Where was he while the president is accumlating dictatorial powers under the mythical executive privilege? This was all just parliamentary grandstanding, on both parties' parts and frankly I don't get why the GOP didn't just go for this, if they really had the votes to pass it.

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) eventually offered a motion to reconsider, according to floor staff on either side, ostensibly giving members a chance to recast their votes. But the maneuver sparked a chorus of angry protests from the Republicans, yelling “shame” on Democrats, while they returned fire with angry volleys of their own.

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