Yet Another GOP Protest

Republicans on Saturday continued protesting a string of events that first unfolded Thursday night after members of the minority disputed the outcome of a procedural vote.

Minority Leader John A. Boehner (R-Ohio) introduced yet another procedural motion to complain that Democrats had ignored House rules -- and erased words from the Congressional Record -- during consideration of a similar measure on Friday, preventing the minority time to debate a similar procedural measure the night before.

Democrats quickly voted to disregard his resolution, clearing the way for the House to finish work on two energy bills, a defense spending measure and legislation to update foreign surveillance laws. They are expected to complete their work late Saturday night.

In his resolution, the Republican leader argues that House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) initiated debate -- instead of closing it -- when he uttered the words "Enough is enough." House rules require the leader to stick with a parliamentary script to shut off debate. It's a minor change, but one historically enforced by the parliamentarians.

Republicans were more galled, though, that words Hoyer uttered -- "Enough is enough" -- did not appear in Friday's Congressional Record, meaning the phrase was somehow scrubbed. Members of the minority posted a video of the exchange on numerous websites.