Posted on 11/18/2005 1:46:54 PM PST by doug from upland
Dateline: Washington, D.C.
Date: 11-18-05
Tonight at approximately 7pm Eastern, an historic vote will take place in the House of Representatives. The GOP is forcing the Democrats to get their votes on record as to whether troops should be immediately withdrawn from Iraq.
This afternoon, I made calls to the offices of Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, Majority Whip Roy Blunt, and Rules Chairman David Dreier. The discussion was regarding a quorum.
Because the Republicans currently hold 231 seats in the House, they will have a quorum to do business. They need 218 to be present. If a quorum does not exist, the Speaker of the House can order the Sergeant at Arms to round up members and physically deliver them to the House chamber.
One of the strategies that could be used by the DemocRATS is to claim this vote is a publicity stunt and that they will not participate.
Pursuant to my discussion with a staffer at Congressman Dreier's office, who put down the phone and asked someone else in the office, Speaker Hastert has the right to order the Sergeant at Arms to round up the DemocRATS and bring them into the House chamber for a vote even if there is a quorum.
CAVEAT: the staffer could not immediately cite the place in the rules, but said Hastert could take that action. Can someone please help find the citation?
I phoned the Speaker's office and made the suggestion that he should consider ordering the Sergeant at Arms into action if the DemocRATS boycott the vote. If you would like to encourage the Speaker, his DC office phone is 202.225.2976.
"One of the strategies that could be used by the DemocRATS is to claim this vote is a publicity stunt and that they will not participate."
Just like the one they pulled a few weeks ago, calling for the closed-door session?
It will be interesting to see which Republicans vote to cut and run. If they don't show up for the vote I will assume they belong to the cut and run crowd.
Naw, that would require whatcha call "cojones!"
If the Democrats don't show up for the vote, or refuse to vote, I predict trouble for them on two fronts.
First, the Looney Anti-War Left will excoriate them for not stepping up to the plate. This is what Cindy 'Ditch B*tch' Sheehan and her ilk have been waiting for...how dare the Democrats deny them?
Second, their anti-war rhetoric from now on will be resoundingly hollow, as the average American will realize that when it came time to stand up and be counted, the Democrats suddenly became interested in something they lost underneath their chairs. Spin it any way they want, but that won't be easily disguised.
If they don't show up, their names should be read, one by one on C-span. They should be published via letters to the editor in every paper, and splashed all over the internet. The heading could be "Whassa matter - you chicken?"
Rep Charlie Norwood (R-GA) just got out of the hospital last week, so I am not sure if he's voting.
If he doesn't, he would have. He sent me a letter to read for my Rally for the Troops in 2003.
This is really, really smart. Put up or shut up. Let's vote! I love it. Great, great idea. I'll be in my car at that time too. Very interesting.
If there is no quorum, then the Republicans are at fault.
Wouldn't it be amazing if Norwood was brought in sitting in a wheelchair so he could make the vote.
Oh boy this is the greatest show on earth. I cannot wait for this to happen - you are so right the loony left will go BONKERS!!!!
wonderful timing ... a Friday night! None of them EVER works a Friday night. Or Monday. Talk about 'bankers hours'
I read that earlier and it didn't seem to answer the question. Did I miss it?
Do you have a source for that?
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