House erupts in chaos

[Soldier4Christ]

House erupts in chaos 
Republicans walk out to protest Democratic maneuvers

In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions (video link courtesy Breitbart.tv), 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 a distinct low for the sometimes bitterly divided chamber because members of one party have rarely, if ever, walked off the floor without casting a vote.

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.

[Faithin1]

This is a travesty!  Why should our senior citizens and poor be deprived of benefits so our tax dollars can be given to illegal aliens for welfare, public housing and free medical care.  There is something very wrong with this picture. 

[Soldier4Christ]

Precisely, and this includes the many Veterans that have fought for this nation that are suffering for a lack of care for injuries or illnesses due to their service. Of course the politicians don't really care. It is their own position and pockets that they care about.

[Shammu]

Thus proving once again that the democratic party cares more for illegal aliens then Americans.  I've said it before, I will not vote for democrats. PERIOD!!

[islandboy]

I saw this go down on C-Span. Unbelievable!!!  Between the elites of both parties they are destroying America. We can only pray that Bush veto's this sham of a bill. The Democrats are claiming the victory, and you can go to the following site to see the vote tally as they have recorded it.
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/vote.xpd?vote=h2007-814

This is a very interesting site for checking on bills voted on.