Chaos Follows Controversial House Vote

(The Politico)  By The Politico's Patrick O'Connor

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Note: This item originally appeared on The Crypt, Politico's behind-the-scenes blog about Congress.

In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions, 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.

The rancor erupted shortly before 11 p.m. as Rep. Michael R. McNulty, D-N.Y., gaveled close the vote on a standard procedural measure with the outcome still in doubt.

Details remain fuzzy, but numerous Republicans argued afterward that they had secured a 215-213 win on their motion to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any federal funds apportioned in the agricultural spending bill for employment or rental assistance. Democrats, however, argued the measure was deadlocked at 214-214 and failed, members and aides on both sides of the aisle said afterward.

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 - a strange development in itself.

Whatever the final tally, acrimony quickly exploded between lawmakers on either side of the aisle as Democratic leaders tried to plot a solution, while parliamentarians on either side argued over protocol.

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.

When Democrats finally moved to consider the spending bill as the last vote of the night, furious Republicans left the chamber en masse to protest the maneuver. 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.

"Obviously, the Democrats don't want to stand up against illegal immigration – so much so that they're willing to cheat in order to win a vote," Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said in an e-mail. "They're desperate – and it shows."

The official House website did not show a record of the vote as of 1 a.m. Friday.
By Patrick O'Connor
© 2007 The Politico & Politico.com, a division of Allbritton Communications Company

[down-ndirty]

If I was in battle and an illegal was beside me do you think for one minute he will have the same desires as a American. Posted by starleo146 at 01:45 PM : Aug 05, 2007


Are you ********* me? The estimate for friendly fire casualties for the U.S. forces in Iraq is over 40%. That means that over 1200 of the over 3000 American deaths in Iraq are caused by our own forces.

I wonder how many of those are "gang related?" I also wonder if Tillman's death was gang related.

[down-ndirty]

This democrat is AGAINST allowing illegals into this country, period. NO AMNESTY! NO CUTTING RED TAPE TO MAKE IT EASIER! NOTHING!

SEND THEM BACK TO WHEREVER THEY CAME. The questions is HOW! There's so damnn many of them.

The only reason Democrats in congress want to coddle them, THE ONLY REASON, is because if illegals become citizens they will vote Democratic. MORE DEMOCRATIC VOTES!!! That's the same ********* reason Reagan and the Democratic congress screwed the military back in the early '80s. MORE VOTES!!

Well, I'm willing to sacrifice my party affiliation to keep 12 to 20 MILLION illegals from becoming citizens whithout going through the proper hoops.

I also believe we should have LOWER immigration quotas. Our economy can not handle the influx we currently allow.

Although I am a fiscal conservative and social liberal, this immigration thing is pushing it too far.

[starleo146]

I have heard let the illegals join the service and fight for this country and become citizens. Are You Kidding Me! If I was in battle and an illegal was beside me do you think for one minute he will have the same desires as a American. In Fort Bragg there are already gangs in the military it is a serious problem. Right here where I live in high school these gangs and it is not legals doing this get them out of here before it is too late and we have gang wars in all sections of the country.

[starleo146]

Posted by lostcountry1 at 10:58 PM : Aug 04, 2007

The American people are standing up we do not want ILLEGALS getting benefits from this American legislature carte blanche The legal citizens have gone through a long and arduous procedure to become citizens of this country and it is an insult to us and them for these illegals to get anything. They need to apply for citizenship the correct way, and if the Democrats or Republicans don't get it they will, cut out the play for votes congress do the right thing for one d*a*m*n time PLEEZE!!!! Stop all this division you know what you are doing and the American will show you the way one way or the other take my word for it. We are mostly united on this issue do you get it.

[starleo146]

Once again Randy you hit right on the nose and the Republicans can rant and rave all they want they are just like babies having a temper tantrum, I say GO TO YOUR ROOM.

[tbweb]

Posted by leftyintexas at 11:29 AM : Aug 05, 2007,,,

The Democrats favor illegal immigrants and the Republicans favor staying in Iraq in which case many Americans may not Vote at all which is also a possibility.

[tbweb]

Posted by RandalDS at 11:39 PM : Aug 04, 2007,,,

Any Candidate who supports illegal immigration from any Party is skating on thin ice. John McCain learned the hard way and changed his tune! There is no telling what the next Congress will look like, because any Candidate who supports illegal immigration will probably not be elected or reelected. A list of candidates who support illegal immigration will be Posted on the web and available at Voting stations. Americans are serious business about this issue.

[randalds]

Wha Wha Wha. The republicans force measure after measure down America's throat while they ran the House and now when things dony go their way they whine like the spoiled baby's they've become.

[randalds]

Wha Wha Wha. The republicans force measure after measure down America's throat while they ran the House and now when things dony go their way they whine like the spoiled baby's they've become.

[randalds]

Wha Wha Wha. The republicans force measure after measure down America's throat while they ran the House and now when things dony go their way they whine like the spoiled baby's they've become.