Joe Wilson Admonished in House Resolution

(AP Photo/Pablo Martinez Monsivais)

Updated 6:32 p.m. ET

After nearly an hour of contentious debate, the House of Representatives passed a resolution of disapproval criticizing South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson for shouting out "you lie!" in the middle of President Obama's address to a joint session of Congress last week.

The largely party-line vote was 240 in favor to 179 opposed. Twelve Democrats opposed the measure, and five others voted "present." Seven Republicans backed it.

The resolution (PDF) called the outburst "a breach of decorum [that] degraded the proceedings of the joint session, to the discredit of the House."

"Now, therefore, be it resolved, that the House of Representatives disapproves of the behavior of the Representative from South Carolina, Mr. Wilson," it read.

During the debate preceding the vote, Wilson complained that "there are far more important issues facing this nation than we are addressing right now." He said that the president had accepted his apology and that "the issue is over," standing by his promise not to offer a second apology to his fellow members.

Wilson's Republican colleagues suggested that Democrats were playing politics and trying to distract Americans from the health care bill. They also suggested the debate and vote was a waste of time.

The resolution reflects a "partisan stunt that the American people are not going to respect," House Republican leader John Boehner said. He called the resolution "wrong" and suggested Democrats were on a "witch hunt."

"There's been behavior that's gone on around here that's been far more serious than this, that didn't bring a resolution to the floor," he complained, suggesting "we could be doing this every day of the week."

But Democrats, lead by House Majority Whip James Clyburn, said the resolution isn't about politics but instead about "the rules of this House and reprehensible conduct." Clyburn criticized Wilson, with whom he has an acrimonious relationship, for not apologizing to his colleagues on the House floor.

"This hall is the most prominent classroom in this great country, and all of us our teachers," he said. "We are bound by duty and the offices we hold to conduct ourselves as such."

"This is not a partisan stunt," he added. "I do not participate in partisan stunts."

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer suggested that the resolution would not have been brought forward had Wilson apologized to his colleagues.

"At issue is whether we are able to proceed with a degree of civility and decorum that our rules and our democracy contemplate and require," he said.

The Office of the House Historian said the resolution marked the first time in House history such an action had been taken against a member for comments during a presidential address, the Associated Press reported.

In an interview with CBS News before the vote, Wilson briefly broke down, saying he appreciates the American people and his family.

Wilson shouted "you lie" after the president said last week that his proposed health care reform bill would not make federal subsidies available to illegal immigrants. He quickly apologized to the White House after being told to do so by Republican leaders.

House guidelines dictate that members can attack the president's policies but not use "personally offensive criticism" against him.

A House member can say a president's position is a "disgrace to the country" or that members of his administration are "half-baked nitwits," according to the guidelines. But he or she can't call the president a "liar" or a "hypocrite."

There have been 22 censures in House history, the last in 1983. There have also been eight reprimands, most recently involving Newt Gingrich in 1997, and five expulsions, the most recent being Jim Traficant in 2002.

A resolution of disapproval is the weakest form of punishment used in the House. There is no specific penalty for Wilson spelled out in the measure.

More Joe Wilson Coverage on CBSNews.com:

Republicans on Attack Over Joe Wilson Resolution
Joe Wilson Gets Choked Up Over Floor Speech
Joe Wilson's Wife: I Couldn't Believe He Said It
Race Issue Simmers in Joe Wilson Flap
Will House Democrats Censure Joe Wilson?
The Joe Wilson Chronicles
Andrew Cohen: Joe Wilson's War
Watch the outburst.

[r9119111]

No wonder being a "bully" in school is becoming more of a problem. People like Joe are the kind of example they see on TV defending their objectionable ways. Wilson is even being rewarded for bad behavior. Imagine geting $2,000,000.00 for poor behavior. This sort of nonsense needs to be smashed in favor of civility. Rowdies need to be admonished and put in their place.

Imagine school children saying, "If you want me to stop bullying, how much are you willing to pay?"

[wheresmycountry]

During the debate preceding the vote, Wilson complained that "there are far more important issues facing this nation than we are addressing right now."

Amen! We need to go back to having the House conduct steroid hearings!!

[ivehadit9]

I actually like what Joe Wilson did, because he brought attention to a very serious issue, and that was that while the illegal aliens will not be covered under the health care reform bill, there was no enforcement mechanism built into the bill. And now the Senate is crafting into the bill, the enforcement mechanism, for whatever the illegals may get out of health care benefits. And Obama's spokesman, on Friday, said that Obama supports the enforcement mechanism. So you can spank him, you can rebuke him, you can spit on him, you can admonish him, and you can shut him up for a fool, but if that's what Joe Wilson got out as a result of his outburst, then it's worth it. IT'S WORTH IT!!

[searingtruth]

"Two Parties.

One fate."
SearingTruth

A Future of the Brave

[dmb35]

I guess the reason nobody made a big issue of the Democrats booing President Bush during State of the Union is because that is what is expected of Democrats. They use childish retaliation; we expect that. Can't hold them to higher standard because it is unattainable. Republicans, however, are held to a higher standard and when one slips it is very noticeable. Joe Wilson did apologize to President Obama and Obama "graciously accepted my apology and the issue is closed". What more is needed, a beer meeting?

[timthielen]

When I was young telling of a lie got me in trouble. Why should BO be any different in a country where freedom of speech is to be treasured? If Rep. Wilson saw it fit to call the president out on a blatant lie then he did right. Congress on the other hand continues to lie to the American people and should be called to the carpet as well. The major media in any kind of objection to Rep. Wilson's outburst are they themselves being dishonest with their calling to good journalism. It is time to stand up for truth and not take up the side of popularity or idiology. The American people are needing the truth and they are getting anything but the truth at every turn with this administration and the left side of Congress. The worst part is that those we trusted to bring us truth in media have turn their backs on it and the American People.

[kansas1946]

Okay, okay, let's move on. This guy has so little class the he isn't worth all of this print and media time. The sooner he fades into oblivion the better. He obviously has no manners, no sense of decorum, is a bully, and a jerk.

[bluegrass101-2009]

If you want to help Pres. Obama against the Redneck Bigots in the South---- Just do not travel there and spend any money. Simple as that . Besides that ,behind your back you are just a D-m Yankee or a Ni--e-

[bluegrass101-2009]

Fact Check.org states that the Republicans are 20% less educated than Democrats . The proof is in the pudding . Repiglicans are just,that Repiglican Bigots.

[bluegrass101-2009]

Nothing is more sickening than to hear the saying , " He's a Southern Gentlemen or Southern Hospitality -- There is no such thing if you are Black. I say everyone should boycott the Bigot Ba-****-. See how Fat they get then , probably lose some weight .