Pelosi to gag repulicans

[GaryC 7]

If this is true, the war between the political Parties has just gone nuclear:

After losing a string of embarrassing votes on the House floor because of procedural maneuvering, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has decided to change the current House Rules to completely shut down the floor to the minority.

The Democratic Leadership is threatening to change the current House Rules regarding the Republican right to the Motion to Recommit or the test of germaneness on the motion to recommit. This would be the first change to the germaneness rule since 1822.

In protest, the House Republicans are going to call procedural motions every half hour.

If this happens, I have no idea how the House of Representatives, no matter which party is in charge, will be able to back away from the cliff this change in rules will put them on.

For all of you that wanted the Republicans to play fair and compromise with the Democrats: it looks like they were and you just couldn’t see it…

This is not good news for Democracy…

http://lonestartimes.com/2007/05/16/pelosi...ace-since-1822/

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Hell if its ok for the Reps to flout democratic tradition, it would be a shame not to let the other side get in on the action

[GaryC 7]

Hell if its ok for the Reps to flout democratic tradition, it would be a shame not to let the other side get in on the action

What "democratic tradition" are you refering to?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Are there links other than this blog to provide some substance to this?

[GaryC 7]

Are there links other than this blog to provide some substance to this?

It's something that just happend today. The blogs are the first to pick it up. Stay tuned....

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The Drudge Report (http://www.drudgereport.com) is reporting this news as well.

Politico.com is reporting it as well - http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/050..._the_House.html with this update:

UPDATE: Democrats have apparently withdrawn the change to House rules, but Republicans continue to call for protest votes. Has anyone told them the change has been withdrawn?

Edited May 16, 2007 by Gupt

[GaryC 7]

The Drudge Report (http://www.drudgereport.com) is reporting this news as well.

Pelosi is also trying to reinstate the"fairness doctrine" as a way to shut up conservitive talk radio. I am sure everyone that voted dem last year are so proud!

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The Drudge Report (http://www.drudgereport.com) is reporting this news as well.

Pelosi is also trying to reinstate the"fairness doctrine" as a way to shut up conservitive talk radio. I am sure everyone that voted dem last year are so proud!

Scare tactics. If shutting up conservative talk radio were that easy (constitutionally speaking), Clinton would have gotten it done during the 8 years he was in office.

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

What "democratic tradition" are you refering to?

Well for starters...

Congress, White House at odds over Bush's claims he can ignore laws he signs

Republicans push change in ethics rules of House

Not saying this is worse - but corruption, duplicity and willingness to circumvent the rules are hardly exclusive to the Democratic party.

More relevantly (lest we forget) if we're talking about using "procedural maneuvering" to block the business of government we should perhaps remember certain threats made by Bill Frist (and others) when they got frustrated by Democrats continually filibustering the president's Supreme Court nominations

Edited May 17, 2007 by erekose

[Ban Hammer 14,295]

After losing a string of embarrassing votes on the House floor because of procedural maneuvering, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has decided to change the current House Rules to completely shut down the floor to the minority.

The Democratic Leadership is threatening to change the current House Rules regarding the Republican right to the Motion to Recommit or the test of germaneness on the motion to recommit. This would be the first change to the germaneness rule since 1822.

Sieg Heil Pelosi!

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

UPDATE: Democrats have apparently withdrawn the change to House rules, but Republicans continue to call for protest votes. Has anyone told them the change has been withdrawn?

They're known to be bit slow on the uptake...

Edited May 17, 2007 by ET-US2004

[one...two...tree 2,762]

If this is true, the war between the political Parties has just gone nuclear:

After losing a string of embarrassing votes on the House floor because of procedural maneuvering, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has decided to change the current House Rules to completely shut down the floor to the minority.

The Democratic Leadership is threatening to change the current House Rules regarding the Republican right to the Motion to Recommit or the test of germaneness on the motion to recommit. This would be the first change to the germaneness rule since 1822.

In protest, the House Republicans are going to call procedural motions every half hour.

I had no idea what a Motion to Recommit was, so I looked it up...

A motion to recommit returns a bill to committee, in effect killing it. However, a motion to recommit with instructions is a last opportunity to amend the bill.

The instructions to the committee direct changes to the text of the bill. If adopted, the chairman of the named committee immediately stands and reports the change back to the House. The next step is the House vote on final passage of the bill.

Minority Members receive priority of recognition for offering motions to recommit.

....

and then...

Under the Republican changes to the rules of the House incorporated at the beginning of the 104th Congress, the Rules Committee may not report a special rule that denies a motion to recommit with instructions if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee (Rule XI, clause 4(B))

So...as I understand it, Gary, if the Republican 104th Congress can change the rules, then the Democratic Congress can change them also, yes?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

The Drudge Report (http://www.drudgereport.com) is reporting this news as well.

Pelosi is also trying to reinstate the"fairness doctrine" as a way to shut up conservitive talk radio. I am sure everyone that voted dem last year are so proud!

I see: Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they're not out to get you.

Does that sum it up?

If this is true, the war between the political Parties has just gone nuclear:

After losing a string of embarrassing votes on the House floor because of procedural maneuvering, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi has decided to change the current House Rules to completely shut down the floor to the minority.

The Democratic Leadership is threatening to change the current House Rules regarding the Republican right to the Motion to Recommit or the test of germaneness on the motion to recommit. This would be the first change to the germaneness rule since 1822.

In protest, the House Republicans are going to call procedural motions every half hour.

I had no idea what a Motion to Recommit was, so I looked it up...

A motion to recommit returns a bill to committee, in effect killing it. However, a motion to recommit with instructions is a last opportunity to amend the bill.

The instructions to the committee direct changes to the text of the bill. If adopted, the chairman of the named committee immediately stands and reports the change back to the House. The next step is the House vote on final passage of the bill.

Minority Members receive priority of recognition for offering motions to recommit.

....

and then...

Under the Republican changes to the rules of the House incorporated at the beginning of the 104th Congress, the Rules Committee may not report a special rule that denies a motion to recommit with instructions if offered by the Minority Leader or his designee (Rule XI, clause 4(B))

So...as I understand it, Gary, if the Republican 104th Congress can change the rules, then the Democratic Congress can change them also, yes?

Steven, be fair, will you?

Republican change = Good

Democratic change = Bad

Remember?

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

Is it time to clap plastic flip flops above my head or should I wait for a cue card?

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

Is it time to clap plastic flip flops above my head or should I wait for a cue card?

Better wait for your cue card.