Breaking: Pelosi reportedly moves to shut down House revolt; Tourists fired up!; Pence: “We will be here through the break”
Keep scrolling for updates…Waiting for 4:30pm…Tourists are fired up in the gallery…Rep. Hoekstra reports them chanting “Vote! Vote! Vote!”…Culberson and other GOP House revolutionaries livestreaming on Qik…Culberson press conference: “All we did is ask for a vote”…Pence: “I’ve never been prouder of the Republican leadership. I’ve never been prouder of the rank-and-file”…WSJ: “Joined by a bevy of staff and summer interns, the Republican lawmakers donned mostly straight faces for an afternoon of speechifying without microphones, C-SPAN or their Democratic counterparts. “How many of you remember the Boston Tea Party?” Republican Rep. John Shadegg of Arizona asked the raucous crowd. “This is the Boston Tea Party!”…4:44pm Eastern. Pence: “We will be here through the break.”
Via Rep. Pete Hoekstra’s Twitter:
Shame! Shame! Capital Hill police working under strict orders to shut Capital down at 430 pm today. Speaker Pelosi wants this shut down now 16 minutes ago from TwitterBerry
Maybe she thinks a censorious crackdown will boost her sagging Amazon.com ratings?
Like she says: Know your power.
***
Until C-SPAN turns the cameras back on, we’ll have to rely on GOP staff to get out video of their bosses’ speeches. (Flip has an e-mail link to contact C-SPAN. Go here.)
Here’s the floor speech of GOP Rep. David Davis of Tennessee (video here):
“We need an American energy plan and we need it now. The American people are hurting, young families are hurting, senior adults are hurting, small businesses are hurting, Vern from Jefferson County, Tennessee is hurting.
“Vern is an Iraq War veteran. Vern has to drive from Jefferson County all the way into Knoxville. It is costing him over ninety dollars a week to drive to work. He makes eight dollars an hour and is trying to become an electrical apprentice. Vern told me he may have to go on welfare. Vern has a young family and is an Iraq War veteran. Vern wants to do what’s right by his family; he’s already done what’s right by America.
“This Congress needs to do what’s right for Vern and other young families in America, senior adults in America, small businesses in America.
“We don’t need anymore excuses; we need to vote on meaningful energy legislation. We need to do it now. We don’t need to go home, we need to take votes. I am willing to stay here today and vote.
“We voted this week. We had time to vote to go home, and we ought to have time to vote to bring down gas prices at the pump.
“The American people demand it. They demand it now.”
***
The Washington Post calls the GOP House revolt “bizarre.”
No. “Bizarre” is Democrats whining about high gas prices and then taking a vacation and doing nothing, nothing, nothing to solve the energy crisis about which they whine.
Guess a 14 percent approval rating isn’t low enough for them.
Snark from WaPo blogger:
Bizarre Scene on the House Floor
UPDATE 4:15 PM: There seems like a decent chance that this spectacle will end around 4:30 p.m. That’s when the galleries are officially supposed to close and when the Capitol typically closes to tour groups. In theory, Republicans could keep up the fight even after the hundreds of visitors have filtered out of the chamber, but members usually like to have some kind of audience. A progressively smaller group of reporters is hanging around until the bitter end, as many journalists have already left the Capitol for a traditional bout of last-day-of-session drinking. Capitol Briefing, of course, is very pleased not to be sitting on a bar patio somewhere enjoying the sunshine and a beer. He’d much rather be here listening to the 78th consecutive speech about gasoline prices.
UPDATE 2:40 PM: Capitol Briefing will admit to never having seen anything remotely like this in 10 years of covering Congress. As “The Phantom Session” continues, the chamber is packed with tourists, and the line to get in the galleries stretches down the stairs inside the Capitol. What appears to be an entire troop of Boy Scouts is sitting in the chamber. Rep. Kevin Brady (R-Texas) apparently went to the airport to go home but then turned around and came back. He walked into the House a few moments ago wheeling his suitcases behind him, prompting a huge round of applause and high-fives from his colleagues.
***
4:22pm Eastern. John Culberson’s Twitter is “over capacity!”
Remember Nov. 7, 2006:
“The American people voted to restore integrity and honesty in Washington, D.C., and the Democrats intend to lead the most honest, most open and most ethical Congress in history,” Pelosi
said.
4:45pm Eastern. Police have shut the Capitol building off to tourists. GOP revolt leaders are holding a press conference.
5:20pm Eastern. Examiner editorial page editor Mark Tapscott:
“Why aren’t all House GOPers on the floor? Here they have a golden media moment to frame the energy issue and capture the public’s attention in an unexpected way. We should be carrying kerosene lamps to them for lighting, getting video cameras to them and they should be demanding that Democrats come back.”
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Trackbacks
- Michelle Malkin » Floor revolt: No vacation for House Republicans; GOP calls for special session on gas prices; Pence: “Prepared to stay here as long as we can;” Update: Pelosi crackdown?!
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Blackout: Pelosi turns off the lights as GOP demands action on drilling; Update: Video added; Update: Pelosi moves to shut it down?
- The Republicans are Staging a Revolt on the U.S. House Floor
- The American Empire » Blog Archive » Showing A Little Republican Spine
- The House GOP Is Fed Up And They Ain’t Gonna Take It No More! « Beltway Snark
- DemsAdjourn, turns off the lights, sound, kicks press out, GOP Stay « POLITISITE: Politics from the RIGHT Side of the WEB
- BipolarNation.com » Breaking: Republicans Talk Energy Even While Dems Hit the Lights
- The Revolution Will Be Twittered? » Pursuing Holiness
- Dem's have screwed up priorities - Darkforum.com - Dark Stories, Dark Art, Poetry, Photography, Debates and Discussions
- Friday Afternoon Silly Season Theater « The Political Inquirer
- Bloodthirsty Liberal » Democracy Breaks Out on House Floor!
- Pelosi Tries to Shut Down GOP Vote | Skeptics Global Warming
- Dems Adjourn, turns off the lights, sound, kicks press out, GOP Stay « POLITISITE: Politics from the RIGHT Side of the WEB
- The Sundries Shack
- Michelle Malkin » Hey, Nancy, how about a light?
- ‘Okie’ on the Lam » Blog Archive » GOP Congressmen Stage “Mr. Smith” Style Revolt Against The Evil Pelosi
- Props For Rep. David Davis : Post Politics: Political News and Views in Tennessee
- Rhymes With Right
- Webloggin - Blog Archive » Democrats Lead By Nancy Pelosi Run Scared from Energy Debate
- Pelosi say Go, Republicans say NO!, GOP wants Energy Bill « POLITISITE: Politics from the RIGHT Side of the WEB
- Hot Air » Blog Archive » Tapscott: GOP missed opportunity in Capitol Hill rebellion
- Sister Toldjah
- Right Wing Nation » Blog Archive » GOP Working
- Silent Running » Blog Archive » Call them back, Mr. President
- A Fun Little Stunt « Tai-Chi Policy
- Deviant Standard Deviants « So Many Idiots, So Little Time
- terryfrank.net » GOP Uprising! Show Your Support!
- Pro-drilling Democrats, please RSVP, ASAP « Republican Party of Jefferson County, TN
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Were they harming the planet?
You wanna save the planet, you gotta break some eggs.
this should get good, /popspopcorn
14% and falling….
Somebody please get some cameras over there! I want to see the Capitol Police, on Pelosi’s orders, physically remove Congressmen from OUR building!
Let America see how Comrade Pelosi runs the new Politburo!
This is getting interesting…
“Scratch a ‘liberal,’ and you’ll find a totalitarian underneath.”
The House Republicans have definitely struck a nerve — and how does “The gavel is now in the hands of the children!!” Pelosi respond to criticism of her refusal to have a debate on oil production?
By trying to have the critics silenced and dragged away by the cops, of course.
Anyone who wonders why I never call the donkeys “Democrats” need only observe the behavior of San Fran Nan: there’s nothing “democratic” about them.
When Fasicm comes to America, it’ll call itself ‘anti-Fascism.’”
Republicans are forcing her to show that she just plain doesn’t care about high fuel prices and is determined that nothing will be done about it.
Clever.
so if your a Congressperson, you’re not allowed to work a little overtime?
Mmmm I should mention this to my boss.
That should be “you’re”, not your.
Pelosi could set the Capitol on fire and blame it on the Republicans. It worked for Hitler.
Pelosi- Just supressing speech Americans wouldn’t.
I guess this is a pretty clear indication of where the Democrats stand on the First Amendment.
You’re kidding right? Just got up from 5 hours rest after back to back 15+ hour shifts and you’ve got to be kidding me. They’ve taken my country and given it to the commies. God help us all.
Take one for the team Rep’s!!!
FINALLY! John Boehner shows some spine.
Okay, 40 members on the floor of the House, take it to Pelosi. AND HARD.
Pelosi’s only doing what any good communist would do in the face of dissent.
Too bad for her tanks can’t fit in the Capitol.
Now Now, you all know Nancy’s botox party can’t be bothered by Republicans demanding an energy plan.
Could Pelosi act any more scared?
Avoiding the debate on this only shows just how timid they are to actually have a discussion.
Unbelievable! I don’t think that the reference above to the Reichstag fire is misplaced. There is a clear trend in this country toward the breakdown of anything resembling orderly, democratic processes.
When last I checked FoxNews.com, there wasn’t even a mention of this revolt. Et tu, Roger Ailes?
I keep wondering if the Dems will choose a different speaker next year…
I hope someone can get in there and ustream this thing!
Going back to your home district is an important part of the job. Constituent services is the name of the game for Reps.
It’s funny. When the Dems took over, they changed the traditional three day work week to a full five days. Republicans flipped out.
Now here we are.
Hypocrites.
This could be the moment, folks. This could me the moment they overplay their hand.
CSPAN doesn’t control their camera’s in Congressional chambers. So, it’s not really on them. The cable news channels have been ticking me off until the last half hour. Fox News has finally started giving some coverage to the events on the Hill.
Note to Ms. Nan,
We American taxpayer pay your salary every quarter and 4/15. We taxpayers pay for the house you want to shut down and not let other elected do their duty as a majority of American’s want done. Gal, get a grip, a few R’s have shown who you and other D’s are about.
L
Rusty, you are a Dalek.
These 40 members are not hypocrites for representing nearly 80% of the American People, who want drilling and want it now.
Nancy Pelosi is not listening to those who actually care. And Rusty is not listening to anything anyone says.
Boy what I wouldn’t give for a sonic screwdriver.
15 yards for BS. There was never going to be a 5 day work week. Pillosee was full of crap and you know it.
The GOP should force the cops to arrest them.
RUSTY, get off your damn high horse, the DNC did this in 1995.
LINK for the so-call DNC 5 day work week.
Congressmen arresting Congressmen. You would think they would work this hard detaining terrorists. HEH!
Rusty, the reason why GOP made a big deal about your precious party’s vow to work 5 days a week is because they knew they never would. I would be interested if you could point out a single week since your party took the House back that they have worked a full five day week.
Confirmed: Rusty is an idiot.
Nancy Pelosky has two email addresses.
For her constituents:
sf.nancy@mail.house.gov
For the rest of us:
AmericanVoices@mail.house.gov
Let’s let her have it!
REVOLT! This is the people’s house! We own that building, we pay the bills and their salaries, VOTE NOW! What are capitol police going to do if a few hundred or more show up to enter the house shouting VOTE!!! What can they do? It belongs to the people, take it back!
No, not yet. But 2006, yes.
regardless of the 5 day work week, which i dont think is important right this minute….
Why are the dems running from this? Going to visit constituents is important, but isnt this just as important, if not moreso?
Just saying, it makes it look like they’re dodging the issue and dont give a crap.
BWWWAAAAHHHAAAHHHAHAHHAAA
Anyone catch the fear in Rusty’s fingers? Diversion, thy name is Lefty. Trust me, the Comrades are quaking in their boots over this.
Rusty v. lgm:
Who is the greater idiot?
Hard to say…shall we have a vote? Let’s not leaving the floor until we do!
I vote lgm.
let me see greek word meaning people rule…. hmmmm wait a minute….
oh yeah, i forgot with San Fran Nan(Hitler) it is opposite day!
[picture san fran nan with light comment cloud above head]:
Democratic/Democrat…people rule..rule by the people.. hmmmm opposite day
Capitol police have emptied the galleries of observers but the revolt lives on!
Viva la Revolution!
I am following Obamas example i vote “present”
This would be worth driving up to DC from Richmond this afternoon in case it spills out onto the Capitol steps! VOTE! VOTE! VOTE!
Cell phones for videos? Does anybody but me think that this story would lead the evening news with the MSM if Democrats were doing the same thing?
It’s official…I’m hoping that Cindy Sheehan beats Pelosi.
SUPPRESION OF THE PEOPLES RIGHTS!!!
“On August 1st, 2008 at 4:20 pm, Rusty said:
Going back to your home district is an important part of the job. Constituent services is the name of the game for Reps.”
Rusty’s right…Wexler representing Florida has to get back home to Maryland.
cant believe such a historic moment is going to be undocumented in video
im with you here in richmond behiker, if my wife wasnt working a double i would be in the car on my way up to watch this in person…
sent my email to the SanFran Nan. told her that i didn’t appreciate her fascist way of handling the most ethical and transparent congress ever. Told her she was a facist socialist power hungary politican and to get her a$$ back in there and do her job.
Man the barricades all available patriots assemble on the capital steps. The democrats are coming, the democrats are coming! The signal is, one if by land two if by sea.
Fixed that for you!!!
GOD, I wish I could be there, I would have refused to leave.
I used to think Rusty could at least debate. Now that he is moving for his girlfriend, he has become more like lgm. I see no difference in his post vs. an lgm post. She must have his gumballs in a box somewhere.
Can I split my vote evenly?
This desire of the Democrats to suppress dissent, and prevent debate, is typical. They are doing to the Congressional Opposition exactly what they want to do to talk radio with the Fairness Doctrine (so-called).
This is just the Pelosi version…a Congressional Fairness Doctrine designed, not for managing public affairs, but to plough through an agenda by preventing democratic dissent and participation.
Pelosi is dangerous.
My suggestion: Do not contact Pelosi protesting her actions. If anything, send her a message of encouragement.
She has PR disaster on her hands. She is in a hole and she is still digging. We should all encourage her to dig faster/dig harder, Madame Speaker!
What? That’s insane! Pelosi needs to know that her actions are unacceptable. She does not need support (false as it may be), she needs to know that she has crossed the line!
Did you have to use “Pelosi” and “sagging” in the same sentence?
Well, well, harumph and pppfffttt! Capitol Briefing is peeved he’s not getting tanked right now with his lib friends. Capitol Briefing is astonished that legislators are actually doing their jobs. Capitol Briefing is confused. Capitol Briefing does not realize this is still a constitutional republic not a Stasi polce state, not yet anyway. Americans are asking Capitol Briefing to get his sorry ass out of the House while history is being made. Dork.
Suggested email for Nancy Pelosi:
Madame Speaker, you really got those evil, baby-eathing Republicans on the run now! You go, girl!
Why don’t you have the Capitol Police put on their riot gear? Lets drag them rebellious GOP congress critters out of there and kick’em down the Capitol steps. Maybe use a little tear gas on them. Have your friends in DC govt send their cops out to cordon off a few blocks of DC. You can’t put up with this rebellious behavior. We are all behind you Nancy. Truly, you are our man in Washington. This is a great photo op for you! Let’s show the whole country how you can manhandle those Republicans who are trying to ruin the planet with reasonable gasoline prices.
There’s got to be plenty of cell phones there to catch the moment and post later.
Nancy Pelosi is suffering from PMS Prime Minister Syndrome.
Just called Nancy P’s Wash office-
told her staff member that she was acting like the old SS.
SS Nancy is her new name!
Correction: 9% and falling. Latest polls say.
I guess for the Dims, vacation is more important than actually doing work for a change.
This is something the RNC needs to take advantage of for the elections this fall. Show the Republicans actually working and the do-nothing Dems taking vacations…
RNC TAKE NOTE ALREADY!
Thanks, Christian Soldier, for the idea. I just did the same!
Partial list of patriotic Republicans:
http://gatewaypundit.blogspot.com/2008/08/house-republicans-refuse-to-vacate.html#comments
Just called Pelosi’s office, can’t believe they are still answering the phone. All I got to do was leave a message. But, I left one.
My very own John Shimkus R-IL is a part of this !!!!!
pelosi the leader, stifle laughter at this point, has spoken. and once everything is shut down by her orders no one will ever know what is actually going on. her two brain cells are in overload.
Wow. This is unbelievable. Maybe Pe-louse-i should grab the microphone and yell “Let the American citizens put cake in their motor vehicles”. I can see the media news coverage tonight: “Brave speaker of the house subject to unwarranted ridicule and shameless accusations by Republican belligerents”.
They are going home.
Now they will be thought of as a joke.
No, I’d say the joke is Pelosi’s attempts to stifle the rebellion by turning out the lights, mics, and TV cameras and then sending in the police to remove reporters. Nothing quite like trampling the First Amendment to start off your vacation.
Pe-louse-i will be safe at home soon in her lovely Pacific Heights multi-million mansion, surrounded by friends and getting major support strokes. All is well in la la land.
They will be made a laughing stock over this.
My worthless Democrap Congressman has this on his web page, which is supposed to be his Remedy to our Pains at the Pump:
http://www.house.gov/snyder/gas.shtml
I guess giving Obama like.. Err sorry, “His Holiness-The Divine Obama” like recomendations for Inflation and tune ups is all that is needed. Jeez, there is going to be a civil war.
When will McCain wake up and start using the Dems own actions to show the American public what will happen if the emporer gets elected?
LOL Atheling, I’ll vote LGM.
5:20pm Eastern. Examiner editorial page editor Mark Tapscott:
“Why aren’t all House GOPers on the floor? Here they have a golden media moment to frame the energy issue and capture the public’s attention in an unexpected way. We should be carrying kerosene lamps to them for lighting, getting video cameras to them and they should be demanding that Democrats come back.”
Maybe then we should call those Republicans who didn’t stay around and ask them why didn’t they and whether they support the drill here and drill now.
UGH – I fell betrayed and dirty. I actually thought the Repub’s were going to do something.
must.go.home.and.shower
Pelosi is a disgrace to all Americans. Guess she is going home to her sanctuary city so she can drum up more supports for the Dems from her illegal constituents. I sent e-mail to her office and told her how shameful this was. I only hope McAmnesty can take advantage of this.
They need to come back on monday.
I wish I could have been there! Pence says they’ll be there throughout the vacation (not continuously, I’m sure). And incidentally, who gave Queen Nancy the right to order C-SPAN shut down, and why on earth did they obey her?
I look forward to seeing what happens on Monday.
Well. Damn.
doppelganglander:
Good question. Since when has the government had the right to control the press?
I guess since the Dems and the MSM have been in bed together.
Pelosi can’t tell C-SPAN to shut down but C-SPAN apparently doesn’t control the cameras in the House so she was able to shut those off.
Absolutely! This was truly a golden moment. Our side had ~both~ the issue ~and~ the theatrical moment.
I am sick that they shut this thing down after a few hours. And, absolutely, those GOPers who were no participating….pathetic.
The Pelosi position opposing steps to bring down gas prices is the incredible, unexpected gift that could turn the whole electoral tide in our favor. I am no great enthusiast for McCain but, sure, I can’t bear the thought of Obama. More importantly, we need to retain some strength in the congress. This is more important than getting out of town on vacation…the understatement of the year.
I hope her ride home breaks before it even gets off the ground.
ah ,yeah right, that’s where they are all going…. good one. roflmao. they may have 1 photo op if that with their home district. the rest of the time, pass the sunscreen baby!