Court Says Democrats Who Broke Quorum Rules Unconstitutionally Spent $1.7 Trillion

The Federalist ^ | FEBRUARY 28, 2024 | MARGOT CLEVELAND

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Congress lacked the constitutionally required quorum to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023, a federal court ruled Tuesday. Accordingly, the Biden administration cannot enforce the new mandates imposed on Texas by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, which was part of the omnibus spending bill. However, Tuesday’s ruling left untouched the $1.7 trillion in appropriations, and with most of the money already spent, there is no real remedy for the Democrat-controlled Congress and White House’s blatant disregard for the Constitution.

Last month, federal Judge James Hendrix held a bench trial in State of Texas v. Dept. of Justice, a lawsuit brought by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton against the Biden administration. In that lawsuit, Paxton challenged the constitutionality of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2023 based on the “quorum clause” of the U.S. Constitution, which is found in Article I and says:

Each House shall be the Judge of the Elections, Returns and Qualifications of its own Members, and a Majority of each shall constitute a Quorum to do Business; but a smaller Number may adjourn from day to day, and may be authorized to compel the Attendance of absent Members, in such Manner, and under such Penalties as each House may provide.

Texas’ lawsuit argued that when the House voted on the final version of the omnibus spending bill on Dec. 23, 2022, it lacked a quorum to conduct business because only 201 of the members were physically present that day, which was less than a majority of the total number of voting House members, 435. 

The House, under the control of Democrats and then-Speaker Nancy Pelosi, opted, however, to apply a proxy-voting rule that allowed absent representatives to have other members of the House cast votes on...

[Yo-Yo]

Court Says Democrats Who Broke Quorum Rules Unconstitutionally Spent $1.7 Trillion

Make 'em pay it all back from their personal funds...

[hillarys cankles]

dems will just do what they always do, ignore the courts. If no one is willing to hold them accountable, then what does it matter?

[Signalman]

I say either pay it back Dems, or work it off @ $8.25/hr. which is about all they’re worth.

[Magnum44]

[Sequoyah101]

Law? What does the law matter?

[Pajamajan]

bttt

[FlingWingFlyer]

It’s time to throw Harris and Bidenskyyyyyyyyy’s asses in jail.

[aspasia]

Notify them of intent to seize (levy) their property and rights to property, income and bank accounts, and passports.

[T Ruth]

with most of the money already spent, there is no real remedy for the Democrat-controlled Congress and White House’s blatant disregard for the Constitution.

Maybe some plaintiff's lawyers can put together a consortium, like they did to go after the tobacco companies, and go after the persons and organizations who got this illegal money:

qui tam action

Qui tam is the abbreviation for the Latin phrase “qui tam pro domino rege quam pro se ipso in hac parte sequitur,” meaning "Who sues on behalf of the King as well as for himself."

In a qui tam action, a relator brings an action against a person or company on the government's behalf. The government, not the relator, is considered the plaintiff. If the government succeeds, the relator bringing the suit receives a share of the award.

Cornell Law School -- Qui Tam Action

[null and void]

with most of the money already spent, there is no real remedy for the Democrat-controlled Congress and White House’s blatant disregard for the Constitution.

Simple, bill every congresscritter who voted for it, and every administration official who signed off on it PERSONALLY to recover the full amount.

Seize their campaign war chests if need be...

[texanyankee]

Ken Paxton sticks it to Brandon!

[Dan in Wichita]

If there ever was a case of closing the barn door after the horse escapes, this is it.

[TheGunny]

So what?

[frogjerk]

So lets say this stands. Can everyone who voted for this abomination be impeached?

[RasterMaster]

Make each of them FINANCIALLY LIABLE.

[technically right]

How about the Republicans in Congress demand that $1.7 Trillion be cut from the continuing resolution that they’re working on to keep the government open. Failing that simply shut the government down until the 1.7 T has been saved and there you go. Oh, and by the way, no retroactive pay for government employees. If the GS types have a problem with that they can talk to Nan.

[nitzy]

Whooops!

[SuperLuminal]

Constitution???
We don’t need a stinking Constitution!