Pelosi should cancel the paychecks to the Reps involved in Jan 6

[berni_mccoy]

I really wish the Dem leadership would go full on hard ball. What would the GQP be able to do about it…

Edit to add: cancel all their benefits and privileges as well. Pull out the stops.

[BigmanPigman]

1. AOC wants to expell them from The House.

Why can't we go for both?

[berni_mccoy]

2. We don't have the votes. Agree it should be done

But not giving them pay is going to have a real impact.

[bottomofthehill]

36. Constitution prohibits it. Article 1 section 6

Section 6: Rights and Disabilities of Members

The Senators and Representatives shall receive a Compensation for their Services, to be ascertained by Law, and paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall in all Cases, except Treason, Felony and Breach of the Peace, be privileged from Arrest during their Attendance at the Session of their respective Houses, and in going to and returning from the same; and for any Speech or Debate in either House, they shall not be questioned in any other Place.

No Senator or Representative shall, during the Time for which he was elected, be appointed to any civil Office under the Authority of the United States, which shall have been created, or the Emoluments whereof shall have been encreased during such time; and no Person holding any Office under the United States, shall be a Member of either House during his Continuance in Office.

[Calista241]

3. I'm not sure if she can.

And I'm also not sure if she should. If the Repubs win back the House next year, will they just have the power to up and cancel paychecks to our Reps?

[berni_mccoy]

6. Time to say "fuck it" and do it

These people are traitors

[SCantiGOP]

18. She doesn't have the authority

And if she were able to get this passed by the Democrats it would still need Senate approval, and even if that happened it would take a court about 5 minutes to rule the action illegal. From City Council members to state and federal officials it is a ironclad rule that you can’t reduce someone’s salary during their term.
Let’s stay in the rational world folks.

[luv2fly]

4. Even if she can...

... some asshats will create a GoFundMe for them.

[berni_mccoy]

7. Good. Less money for them to campaign with

[SoCalDavidS]

5. Not Gonna Happen

I love reading ideas from people on DU about what should happen, knowing full well that there's ZERO chance of ANYTHING happening, let alone what gets suggested.

For example, it's far more likely TFG wins election in 2024 than he gets arrested, or even more ludicrous, is thrown in prison. Don't make me laugh.

[brooklynite]

8. Specify the rule that allows her to do so...

...or are we falling back on "Trump broke the rules so we should as well"?

[berni_mccoy]

10. There's no rule that says she can't

The House controls the purse strings and the Speaker runs the House.

[brooklynite]

11. The Speaker DOESN'T run the House...

The Speaker ADMINISTERS the House based on the rules the House passes. Name the rule that allows the Speaker to withhold salary payments.

[berni_mccoy]

12. Name the rule that says she can't.

We have to start leveling the playing field.

[brooklynite]

13. Tell you what; I'll wait for Speaker Pelosi to accept your opinion on her abilities...or not.

[berni_mccoy]

14. She should do it regardless. How about that.

[tritsofme]

15. Their pay is set by federal law, not the speaker's whim.

The 27th amendment also prohibits intra-session changes to lawmaker’s pay.

This is just silly.

[berni_mccoy]

16. Yes, and there are laws governing ending payment as well

Time to test those laws to the limit

[tritsofme]

19. Any pay change for a representative or senator cannot take effect until after new elections.

You are asking Pelosi to break federal law by interfering with pay these people are legally owed, only to be immediately reversed by courts. Real nice.

[berni_mccoy]

20. Pelosi has the power to dock their pay by any amount

And she’s already used that power
https://www.newsweek.com/pelosi-says-5000-will-deducted-salaries-lawmakers-who-bypass-metal-detectors-1561438

[tritsofme]

22. They were fined for breaking the rules, not for existing.

[berni_mccoy]

24. Conspiring to overthrow the government kinda breaks the rules...

No?

[tritsofme]

25. Sure, when they are charged in a court of law.

[berni_mccoy]

26. I don't think we can wait for that.

And the speaker doesn’t need to

[tritsofme]

27. Perhaps not in your fantasy world.

Unfortunately we are stuck here in reality.

[berni_mccoy]

34. You and many others need to wake up

We are engaged in asymmetric warfare, only the Democratic leadership doesn’t realize it yet.

The traitors are planning another coup and we stand by bickering over an infrastructure bill.

[Igel]

21. In a democracy,

authority is granted.

Authority is granted to the rulers, not the people. The people have authority.

Bodies grant authority to their chairs and such; they don't prescribe actions. What's not allowed is "not allowed" = prohibited.

If an authority isn't granted, or allowed, it's not possessed.

The locus of power lies outside of the rulers. Their power is limited.

[berni_mccoy]

23. In Congress, the Soeaker has the Power to sanction members

And she has used it already

https://www.newsweek.com/pelosi-says-5000-will-deducted-salaries-lawmakers-who-bypass-metal-detectors-1561438

[Igel]

41. In response to what the majority allowed and authorized.

That's the difference. The House authorized her. She didn't assume. She knows her lane when it comes to what she does, and that's a compliment. She pushes the limits mightily when it comes to what she says.

[Zeitghost]

37. That's not how any of this works

There are not rules listing all of the things the Speaker can not do. There are rules listing what they can do.


The recent turn towards authoritarianism around here is getting scary. If we fail to follow the rule of law we are no better than they are.

[berni_mccoy]

38. Actually it is. Pelosi has already docked the pay of members

As sanction for bad behavior.

She can do this and she should.

[Zeitghost]

39. Again, that is not how this works

The speaker can fine member of the House for breaking rules approved by the house. She can not arbitrarily make new rules and issue fines.

[berni_mccoy]

40. Fines for illegal behavior are covered in the rules.

Supporting an insurrection is certainly illegal

[berni_mccoy]

17. By the way

https://www.newsweek.com/pelosi-says-5000-will-deducted-salaries-lawmakers-who-bypass-metal-detectors-1561438

[Hoyt]

28. So, you would penalize them if all they did was assist in the March on Washington,

not storming the Capitol?

I’m against going after them until there is some evidence they were planning the Capitol attack. If that happens, hang em.

[berni_mccoy]

29. Based on the RS article, I'd say there are at least 4 who need to answer questions

From the select committee. If they refuse, dock their pay. If the committee finds they are implicated, dock their pay and refer them to DOJ on criminal charges.

[Hoyt]

30. Agree, but we are along way from evidence that makes that happen.

[berni_mccoy]

32. I don't think she needs to wait for complete evidence

Implication by the organizers working with the committee should suffice.

[sarisataka]

31. Why so soft?

If you want to play hardball and just invent rules, why doesn't she just expell them? She can then refuse to seat any Republican replacements.

Maybe have them arrested ad well. Easy peasy- what are they going to do about it?

[berni_mccoy]

33. No rules need to be invented

Pelosi has sanctioned members already.

[MichMan]

35. Just rule that every Democratic vote counts double

and instead of expelling members, make them strip naked and get stoned to death in the chambers

After all, if nothing prohibits it.........