1/2/19
Top Democrats announced late Sunday a series of changes to House rules that could eliminate causes of major instability during the previous eight years of Republican rule in Congress. "We are proposing historic changes that will modernize Congress, restore regular order and bring integrity back to this institution," said incoming House Rules Chairman James McGovern, D-Mass., in a statement explaining the changes. When a new Congress convenes every two years, the majority party must approve a resolution outlining House rules, the intricate parliamentary procedures that govern the chamber. Democrats will revive the "Gephardt Rule," introduced in the late 1970s by Rep. Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., that automatically raises the debt ceiling — the nation's borrowing limit — once the House passes a budget. Additionally, Democrats are changing the rules regarding motions "to vacate the chair," a procedural tool that could be used to force out a sitting House speaker.
Other notable House rules changes include:
1. Creating a committee to address climate change. The panel will not have subpoena power or the ability to introduce legislation so it will not be as powerful as a similar committee created by Pelosi during the previous Democratic majority from 2007 to 2011, but the issue is expected to be a major priority for the party's progressive wing.
2. Creating a bipartisan select committee tasked with coming up with proposals to "modernize and improve" the way Congress operates.
3. Setting new ethics rules that prohibit lawmakers and aides from sitting on corporate boards and a new requirement for annual ethics training for all lawmakers.
4. Reviving a rule that requires 72 hours before major legislation can get a vote in the House to ensure all lawmakers have time to review the bill.
5. Amending rules to extend bans on discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity and to allow religious headwear to be worn in the House chamber — an accommodation for Rep.-elect Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., a Muslim woman who wears a headscarf.
Democrats Unveil Changes To House Rules On Debt Ceiling, Ethics
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The 116th US Congress House of Representatives gets sworn in tomorrow morning. :thumbs:
Democrats Unveil Changes To House Rules On Debt Ceiling, Ethics
Incoming House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.
The 116th US Congress House of Representatives gets sworn in tomorrow morning. :thumbs:
That rule about the debt ceiling...let me know when the House passes a budget. They haven't done it in 10 years, you know.
Re: the Gephardt Rule: then there is effectively no debt ceiling at all, so why bother with the charade of having it? (Never mind that the House can't unilaterally raise the debt ceiling.)
Also, considering the rule changes (and it has been mostly rule changes) that outgoing Republicans have instituted to limit Democrat power here and there have inspired great rage, why is there not a similar outrage to a rule change making it harder to unseat the Speaker now that Pelosi sits in that chair?
Because Pelosi agreed to that in order to garner the votes to become Speaker. She is no fool ... a term limit, so-to-speak, was greatly desired by the younger incoming representatives. Besides, she doesn't fear competition.
House Republicans preferred to force votes to approve debt ceiling increases in an effort to bring more accountability and political pressure to reduce the nation's deficit and debt. However, that decision never resulted in reducing spending and only added to a culture of brinksmanship in recent years that often threatened the U.S. into default on its debts and increased economic uncertainty around the globe. The rules change — coupled with Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell's longstanding promise that the U.S. will not default on its debts — greatly diminishes the odds of a default threat in the new, divided Congress.
This is just the Democrat Party once again showing disdain for the democratic process. In this case, the ability of the majority to unseat the Speaker of the House if deemed unfit.Additionally, Democrats are changing the rules regarding motions "to vacate the chair," a procedural tool that could be used to force out a sitting House speaker.
This is just the Democrat Party once again showing disdain for the democratic process. In this case, the ability of the majority to unseat the Speaker of the House if deemed unfit.
Re: Gephardt Rule
So? It still makes having a debt ceiling pointless. Why not be earnest and eliminate the debt ceiling, period?
Why won't McConnell be honest and allow Senators to vote on a new funding bill that will be passed by the House tomorrow?
So? It still makes having a debt ceiling pointless. Why not be earnest and eliminate the debt ceiling, period?
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