Democrats Bend Rules, Break Pledge
Dems bend rules, break pledge
Democrats are wielding a heavy hand on the House Rules Committee, committing many of the procedural sins for which they condemned Republicans during their 12 years in power.
So far this year, Democrats have frequently prevented Republicans from offering amendments, limited debate in the committee and, just last week, maneuvered around chamber rules to protect a $23 million project for Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.).
On Wednesday, Democrats suggested changing the House rules to limit the minority's right to offer motions to recommit bills back to committee -- violating a protection that has been in place since 1822.
Much of this heavy-handedness is standard procedure in the House, where the majority has every right to dominate, but it contradicts the many campaign promises Democratic leaders made last year to run a cleaner, more open Congress.
Just last December, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) declared that Democrats "intend to have a Rules Committee ... that gives opposition voices and alternative proposals the ability to be heard and considered on the floor of the House."
Democrats have made a number of small revisions -- such as meeting earlier in the day -- but their overall record in the new Congress has fallen well short of that goal.
"The Democrats have not made good on a single promise they made during 2006, especially when it comes to fostering a more open and deliberative House of Representatives," Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said. "Instead of making the House more open and deliberative, they've gone in the opposite direction, doing things we never even contemplated during our time in the majority."
Rest Of Story Here
UPDATE:
Murtha Accused Of Ethics Violation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well Really! Who didnt see this coming? You idiots that sat out this last election are paying for this madness now arent you? Great Job, Couch Potatoes!! Pffft!
Democrats are wielding a heavy hand on the House Rules Committee, committing many of the procedural sins for which they condemned Republicans during their 12 years in power.
So far this year, Democrats have frequently prevented Republicans from offering amendments, limited debate in the committee and, just last week, maneuvered around chamber rules to protect a $23 million project for Rep. John P. Murtha (D-Pa.).
On Wednesday, Democrats suggested changing the House rules to limit the minority's right to offer motions to recommit bills back to committee -- violating a protection that has been in place since 1822.
Much of this heavy-handedness is standard procedure in the House, where the majority has every right to dominate, but it contradicts the many campaign promises Democratic leaders made last year to run a cleaner, more open Congress.
Just last December, House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) declared that Democrats "intend to have a Rules Committee ... that gives opposition voices and alternative proposals the ability to be heard and considered on the floor of the House."
Democrats have made a number of small revisions -- such as meeting earlier in the day -- but their overall record in the new Congress has fallen well short of that goal.
"The Democrats have not made good on a single promise they made during 2006, especially when it comes to fostering a more open and deliberative House of Representatives," Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) said. "Instead of making the House more open and deliberative, they've gone in the opposite direction, doing things we never even contemplated during our time in the majority."
Rest Of Story Here
UPDATE:
Murtha Accused Of Ethics Violation
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Well Really! Who didnt see this coming? You idiots that sat out this last election are paying for this madness now arent you? Great Job, Couch Potatoes!! Pffft!
posted by Marie's Two Cents | 12:01 AM
4 Comments:
I'll just remind everyone that when the Senate was evenly split with Republicans in charge Democrats demanded and got a raft of special privileges.
When the House was in GOP hands, Democrats demanded and got similar treatment.
But when the shoe is on the other foot look what happens.
This should be a lesson to the Republicans: You can't change a tiger into a kitten by stroking it's fur. It will turn around and bite you the first chance it gets.
Don't give Democrats ANY breaks, AT ALL next time Republicans are in power. They take the inch then ask for the mile and NEVER, EVER return the favor.
Marie...those images say it all!
That can't be Harry Reid giving us the finger could it?
I guess it is and he did!
Mike,
I agree, no more name taking, do what we have to do and screw the prisoners!
Angel,
I thought they worked rather well :-)
DD,
Yes that could very well be Harry Reid cought up in the heat of the moment yes.
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