House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) was booed after attempting to shame lawmakers into supporting the House Democrats’ resolution to condemn what they consider “racist” tweets from President Trump, arguing that anything less would be “a shameful abdication” of their oath of office to “protect the American people.”
The speaker railed against Trump during Tuesday’s debate on the House floor, promising that her caucus would continue to respond to the “disrespect” aimed at the fundamental diversity of America. She accused the president of legitimizing and increasing “fear” and “hatred” against people of color and attempted to shame lawmakers who are dismissing the Democrats’ politically fueled resolution.
“It’s so sad because you would think that there would be a given that we would universally in this body just say ‘of course, of course,'” Pelosi remarked. “There is no excuse for any response to those words but a swift and strong, unified condemnation.”
“Every single member of this institution– Democratic and Republican– should join us in condemning the president’s racist tweets,” she continued.
“To do anything less would be a shocking rejection of our values and a shameful abdication of our oath of office to protect the American people,” she added, sparking boos from others in the room.
Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) chimed in as Pelosi yielded the remainder of her time and asked if she wanted to rephrase her remarks.
“I have cleared my remarks with the parliamentarian before I read them,” Pelosi said flippantly as she walked off.
Pelosi: "Every single member of this institution, Democratic and Republican, should join us in condemning the president's racist tweets. To do anything less would be a shocking rejection of our values and a shameful abdication of our oath of office to protect the American people" pic.twitter.com/hPbJizMBl6
— NBC News (@NBCNews) July 16, 2019
Fox News Congressional reporter Chad Pergram explained further:
GOP GA Rep Collins asserts that Pelosi’s words broke decorum & demanded they be “taken down.” Hse will have to decide if her words are in order. If ruled out of order, Pelosi could be banned from speaking on the flr the rest of the day. Collins asked Pelosi to withdraw her words
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
1) Extraordinary that a member of the minority would flag the Speaker for their remarks on the floor.
Pelosi said that her words were cleared by the parliamentarian.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
2) In, 1985, then backbencher Newt Gingrich did something similar to then House Speaker Tip O’Neill (D-MA) did something similar, demanding the words of O’Neill be flagged
House could also vote to assert that Pelosi’s words are in order.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
3) Taking down words” is the parliamentary equivalent of being pulled over for speeding. You MAY have done something wrong. But they have to determine that first. Hse could vote either way. Or Spkr could withdraw the offending words
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
Collins responded to the controversy on Twitter shortly after.
He tweeted:
We expect each other to speak fairly, truthfully and respectfully of our fellow members of Congress and of the president—not because we agree with each other at all times, but because of our great respect for the Americans who elected us to represent them.
We expect each other to speak fairly, truthfully and respectfully of our fellow members of Congress and of the president—not because we agree with each other at all times, but because of our great respect for the Americans who elected us to represent them. pic.twitter.com/jBngC0b9fl
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) July 16, 2019
According to Pergram, the vote on condemnation for Trump “will be pushed back now because of the Pelosi contretemps and the parliamentary infighting”:
The Hse vote on condemnation for Trump will be pushed back now because of the Pelosi contretemps and the parliamentary infighting.
The condemnation will be later tonight. This is eating up a lot of time.— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
When a mbrs words are “taken down” on the flr, they must sit until the Hse makes a ruling and decides whether the words are in order or out of order
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
When the Spkr last had rheir words taken down with Tip O’Neill in the mid-80s, he parliamentarian rules the Speaker’s use of “lowest” when referring to the conduct of the minority, constituted inappropriate language and words were taken down.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
It NEVER takes this long to review the conduct or language of a member. This is supercharged because it deals with the resolution condeming President Trump and the fact that this involves the Speaker of the House.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
On the kerfuffle on the flr involving Pelosi…When words are taken down, the member accused of using inappropriate language must be seated in the House chamber and wait for the ruling
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
Pelosi appears to have left the floor..which is a violation of House Rules themselves when someone’s words are taken down. That’s partly could be why this is taking so long. This is not just a rank and file member. This is the House Speaker.
— Chad Pergram (@ChadPergram) July 16, 2019
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