The following statement may be attributed to U.S. Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (TX-26):

"North Texans saw injustice when the will of the people of Farmer’s Branch to stand up for their rights as citizens against illegal immigration was overridden by a federal court. Last night, Democratic tactics showed that they too care little for the true will of the American people.

"After clearly losing a vote to deny federal funding to employ or house persons in the country illegally, the Democrats altered the outcome of the vote after the fact. The majority party’s leadership basically strong armed some of their most vulnerable members into switching their votes, one at least five times. This is unacceptable. To be pitted between serving your constituents and towing the line of your party is simply a sad state of affairs. It was deviant and devious behavior, and unbecoming of the U.S. House of Representatives.

"Then this morning, in what can only be described as an Orwellian maneuver, there is suddenly no record that the vote exists. The Democrats removed all evidence of massive arm twisting and vote changing. For it is in times such as these I am thankful that C-SPAN captured the entire action in perpetuity.

"What I fear most is the trend of this type of activity where the will of U.S. citizens is being taken from them. People in North Texas understand this is wrong – I hope the country is not further harmed by people more interested in power than doing the right thing.

"Government is for the people and by the people. A government that believes itself above its people will suffer severely and be rejected."

 


August 03, 2007
Read More: Bad behavior

House erupts in chaos

In a massive flare-up of partisan tensions, Republicans walked out on a House vote late Thursday night to protest what they believed to be Democratic maneuvers to reverse an unfavorable outcome for them.

The flap represents a complete breakdown in parliamentary procedure and an unprecedented low for the sometimes bitterly divided chamber.

The rancor erupted shortly before 11 p.m. as Rep. Michael R. McNulty (D-N.Y.) gaveled close the vote on a standard procedural measure with the outcome still in doubt.

Details remain fuzzy, but numerous Republicans argued afterward that they had secured a 215-213 win on their motion to bar undocumented immigrants from receiving any federal funds apportioned in the agricultural spending bill for employment or rental assistance. Democrats, however, argued the measure was deadlocked at 214-214 and failed, members and aides on both sides of the aisle said afterward.

One GOP aide saw McNulty gavel the vote to a close after receiving a signal from his leaders – but before reading the official tally. And votes continued to shift even after he closed the roll call - a strange development in itself.

Whatever the final tally, acrimony quickly exploded between lawmakers on either side of the aisle as Democratic leaders tried to plot a solution, while parliamentarians on either side argued over protocol.

Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) eventually offered a motion to reconsider, according to floor staff on either side, ostensibly giving members a chance to recast their votes. But the maneuver sparked a chorus of angry protests from the Republicans, yelling “shame” on Democrats, while they returned fire with angry volleys of their own.

When Democrats finally moved to consider the spending bill as the last vote of the night, furious Republicans left the chamber en masse to protest the maneuver. The House eventually recessed at 11:18 p.m. But Republicans quickly discovered that there was no longer any record of the controversial vote and immediately charged Democrats with erasing the bad result.

“Obviously, the Democrats don’t want to stand up against illegal immigration – so much so that they’re willing to cheat in order to win a vote,” Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) said in an e-mail. “They’re desperate – and it shows.”

The official House website did not show a record of the vote as of 1 a.m. Friday.