http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2008/02/dem_aide_gop_claims_about_lant.phpDem Aide: GOP Claims about Lantos Fracas "Preposterous"
By Paul Kiel - February 14, 2008, 3:39PM
As we noted earlier, there was something of an uproar in the House this morning when a Republican called for a vote during the memorial service for Rep. Tom Lantos (D-CA). The vote was part of a general Republican effort to delay the scheduled vote on contempt resolutions against White House officials.
As the Politico reported, there has already been plenty of rancor over the move. The Dems, via a spokeswoman for House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) called the move "unjustifiable." But GOPers said it was, and explained that the Dems were really at fault because they broke their commitment to keep the House in recess during the memorial service:
"The reason for the chaos is the majority," (Jo Maney, a spokeswoman for Republicans on the House Rules Committee) said. "We made clear we would use every procedural rule" to delay the contempt votes.
"There was an agreement that there would be no votes during the service, but they (Democrats) rang the bells" to bring the House back into session, Maney said.
But a Dem leadership aide responded that that explanation doesn't hold water:
“This is the height of disrespect and completely shameful. None of their procedural options were denied by starting when we did; they just chose to call for a vote at the most inappropriate time. The idea that Republicans had no choice is preposterous, all they had to do was allow debate to continue for another 20 minutes and the service could have concluded in peace.”We've bounced it back over to the Republican to side to see if they have a rejoinder. Here's video (at link) of Rep. Lincoln Diaz-Balart (R-FL) explaining why he called the vote.
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