Posted on 01/06/2011 9:36:21 PM PST by American Dream 246
Two Republican members of Congress have come under scrutiny after skipping the House of Representatives’ swearing in ceremony Wednesday to meet with political donors at the Capitol Visitors Center. The gaffe is gaining critical traction among liberals who point out that the U.S. Constitution requires members to be sworn in before casting votes.
Sessions and Fitzpatrick watch the swear-in on television in the Capitol Visitors Center (Image: Bucks County Courier Times)
On Thursday, Rep. Pete Sessions made a motion to open debate on the GOP‘s plan to repeal the Obama administration’s 2010 health care overhaul — an action that can only be taken by an official member of Congress. Sessions, however, missed Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony while he and fellow Republican Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick attended a fundraiser.
“That wasn’t planned. It just worked out that way,” Fitzpatrick said Wednesday. According to the Bucks County Courier Times, about 500 Fitzpatrick supporters were in attendance Wednesday for “Mike Fitzpatrick’s Swearing In Ceremony.”
Sessions currently serves as chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee, the House GOP’s campaign and fundraising organization.
Though Sessions and Fitzpatrick watched the House swearing-in ceremony on television in the Capitol Visitors Center with their hands raised, the Huffington Post points out that there is no provision in the Constitution that allows for a remote swearing-in.
Though the Huffington Post has characterized the even as a “fundraiser” and a website advertising the event said admittance was $30, Rep. Fitzpatrick’s office told The Blaze Thursday that the event was free to the public. “There was no fee to attend the event,” Fitzpatrick spokesman Darren Smith said. “Some people paid $30 for bus transportation to Washington, but the event was open to anyone who showed up, including several hundred people who drove down on their own.” By law, political fundraising is not allowed on capitol grounds.
Wow, the Huffington Post demanding that Congressmen follow the Constitution! Maybe there's hope yet.
In the interim any votes cast by these Bozos should not be counted until they have been officially sworn in.
Frankly, this stinks. What in the hell were these two bozos thinking. God almighty!
There are more than 2 retarded GOPer ‘critters (**cough** **cough** Fred Upton **cough** **cough**)
Inside the beltway, political establishment. We have to look at deeds, not words, and remember in 2012.
The deed begins with the words. It´s inexcusable.
Only when they are republicans - don’t care about the Constitution if they were democrats. and remember - the new editor at the Blaze come from Huffington...what was Beck thinking???
What kind of site is the blaze??
Well, there is precedence for “deeming”. Let’s “deem” them sworn in. Why do Republicans, especially seasoned Congressional legislators give the left this kind of ammunition? Sheeeesh....
It’s associated with Glen Beck. Sort of a mix between Drudge and the Huffpo for the right. I am guessing.
Two more Rs who deserve a primary challenge. And they should apologize to their constituents and colleagues for being stupid.
There is a reason they are called POLITICIANS!!!
Meanwhile, when are these two idiots going to be sworn in?
The rats wouldn't know what was in the Constitution if we hadn't read it to them.
right. You do not miss your swearing in ceremony no matter how important you may think you are. They need to scrub some garbage cans for a while. When they get tired of that, they need to start doing push ups until they feel like scrubbing some more garbage cans.
Frankly, this stinks. What in the hell were these two bozos thinking. God almighty!” _________________________________
Have to agree with you. The learning curve today was a little embarrassing on two or three well lighted occasions, unfortunately. We obviously have the people’s people in office because even the old timers left their brains at home. No finess whatsoever on these occasions, as Ned with the the first reader. Hopefully, Congress will begin soon to govern like the winners campaigned, or else they won’t.
Time to dump these two idiots!
I'm fed up with this cavalier political crap. Based on their irresponsible conduct, I'd be inclined to tell them to go F-off and not come back. No loss since, they'd most likely vote with Dems anyway.
In other news... Boehner was caught crying over the fiasco.
>>right. You do not miss your swearing in ceremony no matter how important you may think you are.<<
Yep — we do NOT want to start this new shift from a position of arrogance. That was how the democrats governed and saw the world and why they are out on their liberal commie butts.
I expect this Congress to look HARD at the opportunity it has been granted and act accordingly. When Republicans ran the WH and Congress they screwed up so badly that we are still paying.
This kind of behavior is NOT in keeping with the new attitude we need so badly.
I hope someone takes these guys to the woodshed...
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