More Rules Committee Shenanigans

Republicans on the House Rules Committee made the case Wednesday that they have been repeatedly mistreated this year by the Democratic majority.

Later that night, as if she was reading from the same script, committee Chairwoman Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) prevented those same Republicans from offering amendments.

The move was so extreme that her own Democratic colleagues took notice. Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.), who is no fan of Republican obstruction, questioned her conduct on the House floor and promised to include amendments he had already granted members of the minority in a later version of the legislation.

"I regret the decision not to allow a number of amendments offered by members of the minority to this bill," Frank said on the House floor, promising to "give them my word that as this legislative process goes forward I intend to seek out opportunities to give them fair consideration."