GOP Forces House Democrats To Pull DC Voting Bill

[shield20]

NOTE: this is a re-post - can not find the orginal link; anyone have more info?


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March 22, 2007

GOP Forces House Democrats To Pull DC Voting Bill


House Democrats pulled a bill to grant voting rights to Washington, D.C., after Republicans offered a motion that would repeal the gun ban for the District.

The move is a clear signal that Democrats have lost control of House floor after minority Republicans presented the Democratic majority with a politically unpalatable motion that their conservative members would be forced to support for fear of angering the gun rights community.

Fifty-two Democrats voted with Republicans on a similar measure to repeal the gun ban in 2004. That would be more than enough support for Republcians to add a repeal to the voting rights bill - something a majority of Democrats would vehemently oppose.

Republicans have taken great pride in offering motions to recommit during their time in the minority, an often over-looked legislative procedure that has allowed them to amend various bills on the House floor.

Democratic Rep. Ellen Tauscher of California, who presided in the chair when the House began consideration of the motion, called the postponement at the request of her leadership, saying the speaker has complete discretion to postpone consideration of any legislation at any time.

Democrats scrambled to remedy the situation on the floor but were eventually forced to pull the bill to begin debate on a controversial wartime funding measure that is expected on the floor Friday. Republicans could offer a similar procedural motion to slow consideration of that measure whenever it comes to the floor.

The House was expected to approve the bill to grant Washington, DC, with a vote in the House by a wide margin, with several Republicans expected to vote in favor of the overarching legislation.

[Robbien]

1. It is the Politico. You know the one who says they are unbiased

but continue to run hit pieces against Democrats.

So the Politico is saying the GOPers wiped the floor with Dems and are having a grand old time smirking while the Dems are peeing in fright.

Nothing new for Politico.

[Zenlitened]

2. Source is some red-stained corner of Politico.com, it appears.

http://www.politico.com/blogs/thecrypt/0307/GOP_Forces_House_Democrats_To_Pull_DC_Voting_Bill.html

Doesn't exactly reek of credibility on a day that Politico got its ass handed to it on the Elizabeth Edwards story.

[shance]

3. Forced them? What did they put a gun to their heads? This cowardice is utterly pathetic.

n/t

[blogslut]

4. the "Politico" - pfft!

I can almost hear the whiny voice through the text:

"The move is a clear signal that Democrats have lost control of House floor..."

[Zenlitened]

5. Here's the Associated Press version. It shows more clearly...

... just what's going on: Parliamentary maneuvers and Republicans whining when they don't get to play anymore. :cry:

House Postpones Vote on D.C., Utah Seats

By JIM ABRAMS Associated Press Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) - Legislation to give the District of Columbia a full vote in the U.S. House stalled Thursday when Republicans unexpectedly injected the volatile issue of gun control.

Apparently fearful they might lose control of the proceedings, Democrats decided to put off action indefinitely on the voting rights measure, which had appeared to be moving toward passage.

Republicans protested the delay and sought a quick vote on their attempt to repeal the capital city's ban on handguns. Democratic leaders "shamefully exploited a rule to kill debate and postpone the vote indefinitely," said Republican leader John Boehner of Ohio.

More:
http://wtop.com/?nid=116&sid=1093337#