Chaos Follows Controversial House Vote

Republicans Walk Out In Protest, Accuse Dems Of Breaking Rules

(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.

[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 phuckking 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.

[toldyouso21]

Sorry for the double negative--CORRECTION:

neither they or their progeny can EVER become citizens. Now, THAT might be a deterrent to generational illegal chain migration
Posted by toldyouso21 at 11:23 PM : Aug 04, 2007

[toldyouso21]

if they pass, give them a voter registration card. nothing racist, nothing vindictive. why let people vote for issues in their country, who know nothing about their country?
Posted by lostcountry1 at 11:10 PM : Aug 04, 2007


the sad truth is...many Americans would also not be able to answer those questions or read the information and therefore, would be denied the right to vote, how about a retina scan on file for everyone who is deemed to be a true citizen and if they came in illegally, that though they may get to live here, neither they or their progeny can NEVER become citizens. Now, THAT might be a deterrent to generational illegal chain migration

[lostcountry1]

why not pass legislation that states any person in the country who expects to vote,must read a sample of the ballot issues before a panel, in english,and then answer questions as to whether or not they understand what they have read. also a few follow up questions, like what was the american revolution all about and others that entail the history of america? if they pass, give them a voter registration card. nothing racist, nothing vindictive. why let people vote for issues in their country, who know nothing about their country?

[lostcountry1]

Obviously, the Democrats don%u2019t want to stand up against illegal immigration %u2013 so much so that they%u2019re willing to cheat in order to win a vote,%u201D Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., said in an e-mail. %u201CThey%u2019re desperate %u2013 and it shows. i think that the democrats must be desperate. thats why they're trying soo hard to trade away legal american voters, for illegal voters.if hillary is to be the next pres.you should expect to see a mexican flag waving at 1600 pensylvannia ave. obama too, for that matter. they must not be completely sure that they have it in the bag.we have no one running now that is for deporting first, securing the border, then having them follow the law by immegrating legally.no amnesty! no vote for any one who would give our country away to people from another country!

[toldyouso21]

For those people who think or believe that once the illegals are legal that they will only want to stay in the "jobs Americans won't do" and will not be direct competition for the rest of the jobs, while even more illegals have to be hired by businesses to force them to accept slave wages....

Well, there is a bridge in Minneapolis where everyone thought the same way---the status quo requires people to assume that things just stay the way they want them to. You probably can pick up that bridge in pieces for cents on the dollar and maybe a few cars, trucks and iron girder parts too---just trawl the river and you can find it.

[toldyouso21]

I'm not advocating amnesty - I am simply saying that we need them to do the work you won't.
Posted by nyckate at 04:59 PM : Aug 03, 2007


Sort of like us fighting our war in Iraq and letting Iraqis take the heat and die--so we don't have to fight our own war here isn't it? Really a classy, honorable and courageous way of thinking (NOT)

Actually, you are advocating amnesty and justifying it with saying we need to use them--as if they will stay picking lettuce and not go for higher jobs when they are legal.

Who picked lettuce before these people? What makes you think when they are legal that they will continue to do the ****** labor of picking lettuce--with the entire US opening up to them--why would they? We act (just like we did in slavery times) that illegals just LOVE to do grunt work and will keep doing it willingly and for low pay when they have a choice. Sort of like the stories of the Happy go lucky slave, who liked being owned and forced to work.

I have a suggestion for who could do this grunt work--make it a stipulation that every LEGAL immigrant applicant with no college credentials work for at least 3 years at one of these jobs--they can pick all the low paying jobs you and others are sure Americans won't do. The immigration waiting list is said to extend for up to 25 years--so the employers would have lots to choose from and the best part is--they could use legal applicants and stop rewarding line jumping cheating illegal immigrants.

[tbweb]

The most puzzling thing about the United States of America is that America really is a great nation. America has all the tools, institutions, Laws, Schools, Commerce and you name it to be even more awesome than it already is. The American system works, all America needs to do is be true to the American Dream and enforce the Laws already on the books, be true to American values and the rest will take care of itself! America's problem is America sabotages and shoots itself in the foot. No external enemy will ever defeat the United States, the United States will end up defeating itself.

[tucano2]

The 'pro-tem' was, at the very least, in error.
Whether by error, incompetence, or deliberate manipulation and lying, the 'pro-tem' MUST ADMIT HIS ERROR AND SEND THE MEASURE BACK TO COMMITTEE. To do otherwise condemns the Democratic Party to certain defeat in the '08 elections, and beyond. The American people have made it abundantly clear to Republican and Democrat alike we do not want, we will not accept, and we will not tolerate measures such as this one to sell out our Nation. Congress and the President must cease giving away the rights and the nation of the Americans.

[muzzlebush]

It's no wonder we're the laughing stock of the developed world.

[condumism]

Lots of highly educated former Soviets would like to immigrate to the USA! At least they come from a culture of integrity and respect. The US Government should offer any former Soviets that want to come here a free plane ticket and a green card. At teh same time the American Gov should enforce the existing lawas on the books. Allowing US employers to go on as they have over the past decade and more with no accountability to the law is the problem. The illegals have come here because they know nobody would do anything about their illgal presence. Amazing to me that Republicons are the loudset to scream against illegals, when it's Republicons disrespect for law and order is the real problem with our system.