The GOP's little rule change they hoped you wouldn't notice

[Cannikin]

This Youtube video from the House floor on September 30th seems to be going viral in my Facebook feed tonight. I shamefully admit that I hadn't seen this before today either. It seems to be shocking some of my less political friends, so I thought it might be a good one to spread around.

[MANative]

1. I'm a little sick to my stomach. n/t

[eqfan592]

2. info for those that can't watch the video? nt

[MANative]

3. Changed the rules of the House so that only the Speaker or...

his designee can enter a motion to adopt the Senate's bill to reopen the government. Feels like a coup in process.

ETA: This rule change apparently happened on Oct 1st, and if I understood it properly, was adopted in committee (rules).

[xfundy]

4. I'm just wondering when the GOPigs will allow or mandate guns in the house.

Machine guns, assault weapons or nuclear bombs. Of course they won't distribute them equally. But I'd bet the smarter guys would fare better.

[Egnever]

5. Wow

I dont know what to say.

[NYC_SKP]

6. Sneaky fuckers. More here:

It seems democracy isn’t an obstacle, the Constitution isn’t an obstacle, the judiciary isn’t an obstacle, and now House rules aren’t an obstacle to the Tea Party juggernaut steaming its way across the American political landscape, flattening everything its path.

As we’re all aware, the Bill for a Continuing Resolution complete with defunding Obamacare attached to it passed the House, and was subsequently rejected by the Senate, thus ending up back at the House on the evening of September 30th. At this point, under House procedures, any member of the House can bring forward a vote on the Senate’s amended Bill in order to end the impasse:

“When the stage of disagreement has been reached on a bill or resolution with House or Senate amendments, a motion to dispose of any amendment shall be privileged.”

- This exists to prevent the minority extorting the majority with threat of shutdown, for policy they weren’t able to achieve through regular democratic process.

But that rule was soon to change. Late on September 30th – with only two hours remaining until the government shut down began – an Amendment was quickly passed – H.J. Res. 59: Continuing Appropriations Resolution – by House Republicans, to the procedural rules of the House. The Amendment ensures:

“Section 2 of the rule provides that any motion pursuant to clause 4 of rule XXII relating to H.J. Res. 59 may be offered only by the majority Leader or his designee.”

http://futiledemocracy.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/the-throne-of-king-cantor-how-house-republicans-changed-the-rules/

[handmade34]

7. ...

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/113-2013/h505

[mwooldri]

8. Eurgh... US House is acting too "respectful".

Call me biased, but I think the UK House of Commons could teach a thing or two to the US House as to how to behave. The D's in the house need to be more vocal as a collective.

But a rule change like that.... *when* the Republicans lose their majority in the House, I hope the new leadership (highly likely to be Democratic) will remember these sneaky rule changes.

[Heather MC]

9. but this is all Obama's fault

[CoffeeCat]

10. So the blame will be on Republicans, right?

Republicans won't be able to shirk responsibility on this one. Only Cantor and his "designee" can introduce a CR. So if Cantor or his flunkee doesn't do it no one can--so isn't Cantor solely responsible if America defaults this week?

[blkmusclmachine]

11. "Death to America,"

screams the GOP.