In addition, we learn that Peter Welch, who has now taken Pat Leahy's seat in the Senate, first volunteered on a political campaign for Pat Leahy, when Leahy was the first Dem sent to DC from Vermont. Rather poignant that Leahy walked Peter to his seat today. I love our Vermont delegation!
Today, the Republicans took over the House of Representatives.
The first thing they did was to remove the metal detectors that were installed after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The removal was one of the things Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) promised far-right Republicans in hopes of winning their votes to elect him speaker. The House has not yet voted on the rules package that ends "Democrat fines for failure of Members to comply with unscientific mask mandates and security screenings before entering the House floor," but the metal detectors are gone, just three days before the second anniversary of the January 6 attack. ...
I saw a photo yesterday that makes it clear Putin is wearing body armor under his suit. I wonder if some Republican representatives will be doing the same. ---Alan
IMHO metal detectors are, like surveillance systems, a boon to the manufacturers and en excuse for law enforcement to invade personal privacy. The Constitution presumes that the natural person is good. This "presumption of probity" brings with it the fact that our agents of government are reactive, designed to respond to demands and complaints, rather than impose prior protective restraints. However, commerce is an exception. All commercial activity (transactions for money) is liable to being restrained or restricted (e.g. the importation of slaves, sale of spirits, etc.). Which means there is no impediment to prohibiting the importation and/or sale of firearms. What there is is the tacit approval of law enforcement for the proliferation of firearms because they provide an excuse for police to carry, to hire more personnel and to inspect people and vehicles to try to search for weapons. Security is a racket.
McCarthy not only lost the 4th vote, but he lost another vote. Quite interesting to hear the last Republican vote "Present." That means only 217 are needed to win. If 5 more Republicans decide to vote "Present" in protest, then only 212 would be needed to win, and Sen. Hakem Jeffries would be elected.
HEY! Turn on C-SPAN or CNN. All the cameras are showing the House members talking lobbying with each other in groups. We NEVER get to see this, because a Speaker would never allow cameras to show this! But, as there is no Speaker, there is no one to declare it forbidden!
The longer the Republicans don't find a way to elect a Speaker, the longer the country isn't being hammered by their legislating. It would help if Merrick Garland issued some indictments for some of the traitors in Congress who should be in jail.
CNN has been showing a split screen with the House haggling going on on the right and the bipartisan Infrastructure event (with Biden and McConnell) taking place right now in Kentucky on the left. 😆
There will likely be a 6th vote today. If the Dems want to adjourn, that's when they'll adjourn for the day. Funny, that the Dems have the power because the Repubs are in such disarray.
The Internet gods disappeared this, but it is still a good bit of writing IMO. ---Alan
Charlie Sykes: “Historians should note that the party that lost control of the House brought popcorn to the ceremony. The party that ‘won,’ blew itself up. And then did it again. And again. And then left for a night of pizza, bitterness, and recriminations.”
“Meanwhile, the MAGA crackup accelerated as crackpots fought with nihilists, wingnuts pointed fingers at extremists, and grifters started slap-fights with one another.”
McCarthy now says he does not want another vote tonight, as there is as yet no deal. They may have to have a vote though, if the Dems are unwilling to adjourn. We'll know in about ten minutes.
☃️ A good day for Vermont!
ReplyDeleteBe sure to listen to this at the 2 minute mark! 😆
Rep. Balint does a Bernie imitation!
In addition, we learn that Peter Welch, who has now taken Pat Leahy's seat in the Senate, first volunteered on a political campaign for Pat Leahy, when Leahy was the first Dem sent to DC from Vermont. Rather poignant that Leahy walked Peter to his seat today. I love our Vermont delegation!
DeleteHeather Cox Richardson:
ReplyDeleteToday, the Republicans took over the House of Representatives.
The first thing they did was to remove the metal detectors that were installed after the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. The removal was one of the things Republican leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) promised far-right Republicans in hopes of winning their votes to elect him speaker. The House has not yet voted on the rules package that ends "Democrat fines for failure of Members to comply with unscientific mask mandates and security screenings before entering the House floor," but the metal detectors are gone, just three days before the second anniversary of the January 6 attack. ...
I saw a photo yesterday that makes it clear Putin is wearing body armor under his suit. I wonder if some Republican representatives will be doing the same.
Delete---Alan
IMHO metal detectors are, like surveillance systems, a boon to the manufacturers and en excuse for law enforcement to invade personal privacy.
ReplyDeleteThe Constitution presumes that the natural person is good. This "presumption of probity" brings with it the fact that our agents of government are reactive, designed to respond to demands and complaints, rather than impose prior protective restraints.
However, commerce is an exception. All commercial activity (transactions for money) is liable to being restrained or restricted (e.g. the importation of slaves, sale of spirits, etc.). Which means there is no impediment to prohibiting the importation and/or sale of firearms. What there is is the tacit approval of law enforcement for the proliferation of firearms because they provide an excuse for police to carry, to hire more personnel and to inspect people and vehicles to try to search for weapons.
Security is a racket.
Too many posts re the House Speaker follies to detail at politicalwire.com [Click] Several particularly good bits, though.
ReplyDelete---Alan
McCarthy not only lost the 4th vote, but he lost another vote. Quite interesting to hear the last Republican vote "Present." That means only 217 are needed to win. If 5 more Republicans decide to vote "Present" in protest, then only 212 would be needed to win, and Sen. Hakem Jeffries would be elected.
ReplyDeleteHEY! Turn on C-SPAN or CNN. All the cameras are showing the House members talking lobbying with each other in groups. We NEVER get to see this, because a Speaker would never allow cameras to show this! But, as there is no Speaker, there is no one to declare it forbidden!
ReplyDeletePresumably, the chief clerk remains the presiding officer? And, presumably, she could have banned cameras if she had wanted to.
DeleteThe longer the Republicans don't find a way to elect a Speaker, the longer the country isn't being hammered by their legislating. It would help if Merrick Garland issued some indictments for some of the traitors in Congress who should be in jail.
ReplyDeleteFrom your mouth to his ear. /sigh/
DeleteThough, come to think of it, a phone call to the DOJ switchboard to that effect wouldn't come amiss right about now.
CNN has been showing a split screen with the House haggling going on on the right and the bipartisan Infrastructure event (with Biden and McConnell) taking place right now in Kentucky on the left. 😆
ReplyDeleteNice!
DeleteLooks like McCarthy has lost the 5th vote too.
ReplyDeleteWait. Where did I put that violin? /smirk/
DeleteYup.
DeleteThere will likely be a 6th vote today. If the Dems want to adjourn, that's when they'll adjourn for the day. Funny, that the Dems have the power because the Repubs are in such disarray.
The Peak of the Balkans Trail [Click] Spectacular!
ReplyDelete---Alan
The Internet gods disappeared this, but it is still a good bit of writing IMO.
ReplyDelete---Alan
Charlie Sykes: “Historians should note that the party that lost control of the House brought popcorn to the ceremony. The party that ‘won,’ blew itself up. And then did it again. And again. And then left for a night of pizza, bitterness, and recriminations.”
“Meanwhile, the MAGA crackup accelerated as crackpots fought with nihilists, wingnuts pointed fingers at extremists, and grifters started slap-fights with one another.”
Words for the ages.
DeleteTwo items from politicalwire.com:
ReplyDelete6th vote:
Hakeem Jeffries – 212
Kevin McCarthy – 201
Byron Donalds – 20
Other – 0
Present – 1
January 4, 2023 at 4:35 pm EST By Taegan Goddard
The House voted to adjourn until 8 p.m. this evening.
Democrats objected to the Republican motion but for some reason did not call for a roll call vote.
McCarthy now says he does not want another vote tonight, as there is as yet no deal. They may have to have a vote though, if the Dems are unwilling to adjourn. We'll know in about ten minutes.
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The vote on whether to adjourn was close! 216 YEA / 214 NAY and 2 Repubs and 2 Dems didn't vote before time was up! Ha!
DeleteWhat a disgrace! Those Republicans are making our country a laughing stock!
DeleteHouse Adjourns Again Without Electing a Speaker [Click]
ReplyDeleteH. L. Mencken: "Democracy is the theory that the common people know what they want, and deserve to get it good and hard."
---Alan