The Fili-Boehner
There's a privilege granted to leaders of both parties in the House to speak for as long as they want on the House floor on whatever subject they want. After nearly five hours of debate on the climate bill, House Minority Leader John Boehner took the floor around 5:30pm and began speaking about the 300-page chairman's amendment added to the bill at 3am this morning. He's been reading, and mocking, choice passages. Twenty minutes later, House Energy & Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman interrupted to ask when he might be done and what the precedent is for limiting a leader's speaking privileges. Rep. Ellen Tauscher, who is presiding over the floor on her last day as a member before heading to the State Department to become Under Secretary of State, ruled that there is no precedent and allowed Boehner to continue . He's been speaking for nearly 50 minutes now and his staff says he's "prepared to go quite a while."
"Now I really hate to do this," Boehner said on the floor, "but when you file a 300-page amendment at 3am the American people have a right to know what's in this bill and what we're voting on."
The Dems have stopped whipping the bill, confident that, although it will be close, they have the votes. The problem is: if Boehner goes hours and hours they risk losing members to flights, commitments, etc. I'm checking with the House Historian, but it seems we have our first House filibuster. Now, the real question is: how long can Boehner, a notorious chain smoker, go without a cigarette? (I've never seen him go longer than 30 minutes without one, so he's already shattered that record).
Update:
After over an hour, Boehner relinquished the floor. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, in the interest of saving time, curtailed her closing remarks to four words, telling members she believes this bill is all about, "Jobs, jobs, jobs, jobs."
-
1
Rahm should go in there and start lighting up in front of the orange SOB.
.
Just be all, "Aw yeah, this nicotine really hits the spot. I think I'd die if I had to go another five minutes without one." -
2
"The Fili-Boehner"
~
Aside from the double entendre, any relation between that title and:
~
"I say hopefully because I want to get out of here at a decent hour today!"
~
Don't come between JNS and her happy hour! -
3
Its a double edged sword though JNS. Republicans are gonna get the hell up out of there rather than stay to cast a no vote when they know it won't matter. And with fewer Repubs there its a good chance that Dems will feel empowered. I am just saying.
-
4
Larry Craig should make a guest appearance and fire up a White Owl.
-
5
Of course, Cliff, the fact that the Dems are cramming a 300 page amendment down everyone's throats has no issues for you.
.
JNS, by the way, on Kyoto, it's just you. There are many countries with no GHG limits . . . . -
6
Oh, and another thing, didn't Pelosi promise that the House would be respectful of the minority? I seem to recall her doing that. If Boehner's your bad guy, perhaps, just perhaps, you could give your assessment of how this cap and trade ramjob is consonant with Pelosi's promises.
-
7
sacredh, re: Larry Craig I believe that's a trollish comment.
-
8
More arguing with a brick wall will resume I assume so I bid you guys a good evening. Have at it.
-
9
hey sg, did ya see the Jena Six pleas? Seems they admitted that Barker did not provoke the attack--so then the question is what was their motivation . . . . hmmmmmmmm. Maybe there should be a civil rights prosecution . . . .
-
10
I think I am a troll. Not a very happy one either.
-
11
I have to agree with spob on the 300 page thing. Without any additional information, I think that adding 300 pages at 3 AM is quite unethical.
-
12
it's certainly not consonant with Pelosi's promises upon becoming Speaker . . . .
-
13
consistent, please you do yourself no favors with simple typos.
-
14
consistent, please you do yourself no favors with simple typos.
.
/facepalm
.
con-so-nant:
–adjective 3. in agreement; agreeable; in accord; consistent (usually fol. by to or with): behavior consonant with his character. -
15
i thought "consonant" was correct--is it not?
-
16
All I know is that Pelosi made a vowel, and we should hold her to it.
-
17
wow, maybe I need to refresh my grasp of the English language. damn homonyms. consider the snark withdrawn.
-
18
or synonyms, right?
-
19
Just back to point out that the bill passed. With 8 Repub votes.
-
20
.
"Now I really hate to do this," Boehner said on the floor, "but when you file a 300-page amendment at 3am the American people have a right to know what's in this bill and what we're voting on."
.
Can anyone recall what Boner had to say about the "Spying on Americans Without A Warrant Act"?
.
I'll summarize:
.
Oh My GAWD we're all going to die right now unless you muslim loving commies pass this Bill that Republican Jebus wrote! Do not waste time trying to read it! I am quivering in terror and pissing my tighty-whities that already have a wicked brown streak in the back because Osama's gonna get me!
~ -
21
ifhtethunderdontgetya: I seriously doubt the esteemed representative from my home stste said that. Did he really say "Osama's gonna get me"? The rest I can believe.
-
22
.
Sacredh, did you see that I also called Sherrod?
~ -
23
I just linked. I call my reps all the time. I think they must have caller ID now because I sometimes don't get through. I even asked once if I had any messages.
-
24
I think I am a troll. Not a very happy one either.
-
Why do you set yourself up so? -
25
"...Boehner, a notorious chain smoker..."
.
Huh. We all thought it was tanning booths that turned his skin that weird color.
- jnsmall DesireeRogers 2 testify! Er, no. WH cites sep of powers. Cause she needs 2 b able 2 speak freely on social stuf 2 prez: http://tiny.cc/uluW3 - 3 hours ago
- jnsmall @greebs the whole story was about cng reax to obama's speech! - 4 hours ago
- jnsmall @greebs also- if global warming's so urgent- why's the bill virtualy DOA in the senate? Noone thinks cap&trade'll pass b4 midterms, if @ all - 4 hours ago
Most Popular »
- "Personal Sins Should Not Require Press Releases"
- False Economy: Think You're Saving Money? Think Again
- The 'Alice' Interview: A Very Different Brand of Wonderland
- Congress's Tepid Reaction to Obama's Afghanistan Plan
- Tiger Speaks
- Rep. Woolsey: Majority Of Dems Will Vote Against War Funding
- State Dinner, Uh, Fashion
- Gleeks and Shrieks: Fox Unveils Midseason, Glee Gone Until April
- White House Hypocritical Attack on Politico
- The Dreaded X
- Can Attack Dogs Be Rehabilitated?
- Rachel Uchitel: Tiger Woods' Alleged Affair Connection
- Helicopter Parents: The Backlash Against Overparenting
- Europe's Secret Nuclear Weapons: What Should NATO Do?
- Italian Town Dreams of a White (No Foreigners) Christmas
- Tiger Woods Admits 'Transgressions': Will Image Be Hurt?
- Why Fritz Henderson Resigned as GM's CEO
- Ireland: Lack of New Catholic Priests Spurs Campaign
- The End of the 2000s: Goodbye to a Decade from Hell
- Could White House Party Crashers the Salahis Go to Jail?
Quotes of the Day »
RSS