Friday, August 03, 2007

Republicans walk out over Democrats procedural violation

In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions, Republicans walked out on a House vote late Thursday night to protest an unpresidented violation of House rules to reverse an unfavorable outcome for them on a procedural motion designed to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any federal funds apportioned in the agricultural spending bill for employment or rental assistance

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

One GOP aide saw McNulty gavel the vote to a close after receiving a signal from his leaders – but before reading the official tally. And votes continued to shift even after he closed the roll call They believed it was a tie of 214 to 214, but it turns out that they lost 215-213. Democrats, however, argued the measure was deadlocked at 214-214 and failed.

So, Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, D-Md., eventually offered a motion to reconsider re-opening the vote.twisting arms to get some democrats to change their votes to prevail on a 216-212 tally. But the maneuver sparked a chorus of angry protests from the Republicans, yelling “shame” on Democrats and the Republicans walked out in masse.

The House eventually recessed at 11:18 p.m. But Republicans quickly discovered that there was no longer any record of the controversial vote and immediately charged Democrats with erasing the bad result.

A Video of the dust up:


Sources:
FNC
ABC News
The Wilkow Majority Radio Show

**This was a production of The Coalition Against Illegal Immigration (CAII). If you would like to participate, please go to the above link to learn more. Afterwards, email stiknstein-at-gmail-dot-com and let us know at what level you would like to participate.

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