A reader visits the House floor
Reader Becky of Hamilton, Ohio e-mails about her family’s visit to Washington. They were able to watch the House GOP revolt in action:
Michelle,
When Congress was adjourned for August and the few brave Republicans stayed and were addressing the gallery, I was very happy. You see, my family and I were already planning a trip there (leaving on the 9th) and at the last minute, I called my Congressman’s office (Steve Chabot) to see if we could get a tour of the House. And I read that you were encouraging your readers to try to get in the House and on the floor. Here is my report.
Today, we were seated on the floor of the House and listened to a couple of Representatives speak. I apologize for not knowing the names of the men who spoke, but they weren’t from my state and our intern guide didn’t know who they were either. When we tried to leave the rotunda area to go to the House floor, there was a press conference being held (that was around 11 AM today, the 12th). So we took the long way and ended up coming in through the Republican cloak room in time to hear a Representative from Minnesota leading everyone on the floor in the Pledge. He spoke for some time after that, about how Nacny Pelosi’s chair was empty, there was no debate, no vote and they were adressing the issue directly to the people of this country. Then, he gave the floor to a man from Georgia (again, sorry, I don’t have names, they didn’t give them and when they did, I couldn’t write anything down to remember).
The Representative from Georgia spoke of how, on that last day that Congress was in session, he addressed the gallery directly and the Democrats on the floor didn’t know what to do. The Dem’s didn’t know how to respond, he said. Then he said that the Democrats still don’t know how to respond because they aren’t here. He also spoke about how on that last day, there were several speeches on the floor about someones pastor, or things that were going on in the various districts that the other members wanted noted as bing spoken of on the floor. But that no one would let them bring up a real issue, like the rising costs of energy and how that was effecting the average American.Then he gave the floor to a speaker from North Carolina. The Representative from North Carolina said that all they wanted was a up or down vote, nothing more, nothing less, and if they lost that vote, then so be it. At least they got the chance to vote and then work on what went wrong, but they couldn’t even get that chance. Then he gave the floor to a speaker from Kansas. He spoke for a while about how it was a great priviledge to be able to sp eak directly to the American people about a matter that was important. and he also spoke about how all that they wanted was a up or down vote and that this wasn’t a “stunt”. A “stunt”, he said was for no good purpose other than attention. This was for a very good purpose, he stressed. Then we had to leave.
I kept trying to tell my 10 year old daughter that this was history being made and that she was now a part of it. She wanted to know if she was going to be in a picture because of it. Priorities of a 10 year old.
We were seated on the House floor, in the Democrats side (strangely, the Republican side was full). There were several other groups led by House interns, but I couldn’t tell where they were from, although there was a group from Minnesota that cheered when the first speaker asked if there was anyone from Minnesota in the audience.
We concluded our tour and had lunch in the cafeteria of the Longworth HOB. Tomorrow, we get to tour the White House! We have been on that list for about 4 months now.
I was thrilled to be able to be a part of this.
Becky Heftel
Hamilton, Ohio
You can be a part of it, too. Here’s how.
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- Nancy Pelosi, I was there, Where Were YOU? « I Took The Red Pill (and escaped the Matrix)
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I wish..
Job well done, Becky!
Thanks for the report.
Go Repubs, go!
very nice, thx for sharing
I wish that I could trust the Republicans on this one but the Gang of Ten showed me that special interests will rule the day not the American people. With such an obvious ace in their hands to beat the democrats in November, the GOT Rinos threw the rest of the party and the peasants, er, people under the bus.
Good to hear from someone who was there.
As for the Democrat claims that this is a stunt, it wasn’t a “stunt” (and it’s not a stunt in my opinion) until Nancy Pelosi decided that she was above the First Amendment and decided to turn out the lights, turn off the microphones and cameras, and send in the police to clear out the press and the tourists. Up until that point it was just politicians engaged in their usual business of speechifying.
I am so jealous . . .
Could someone pleas explain to me how the priorities of a 10 year old are somehow different from the priorities of the congressmen.
My collie say:
The Democrats never know how to respond to the people…only to dubious polls (replete with guided questions) and lobbyist groups!
Thanks, Becky, for the people’s perspective on the People’s House.
Glad to see that someone is stepping up to the plate.
Lindsey Graham I guess has found some more “loud folks.”
Funny, that’s exactly what Obama asked when he was planning to visit our wounded troops overseas…
Bravo on the report. Wish I could have been there too.
That’s the problem with this country. All of us decent folks spend our time at our jobs and with our families and are too tired at the end of the day for any activism. Meanwhile, the moonbats have nothing better to do.
Oh you can bet your sweet a$$ they will come back to congress now. They have another border agent to put down.
I think the Republicans should start planning a WELCOME BACK RALLY for the dems. The first day they come back to “work”, have a huge protest/party right outside the building to “welcome” them back from their 5 weeks of “well deserved” rest and relaxation.
If done correctly, THIS WOULD MAKE NEWS. Michelle, Rush, Hannity, Levin and Laura could start rallying people up now, and get this thing to be really big.
Thanks, Michelle. And, thank you, Becky.
I wish I had the time and money to get to D.C. to join them in the House.
If you had enough money, you could probably join them on the House floor.
That’s the GOP I know and love. I was hoping they would have been this forceful and thorough since 1995, but alas…
Hopefully, this will help them remember their roots.
I know. Dream on, Hefty!
I bet the NC Representative was Sue Myrick. I’m not in her district, but I wish I was! Me, I get Brad Miller. Liberal democrat who STILL says offshore drilling is not a solution. GACK!
“Stunt” indeed! What irritates me is that some of Fox News’ analysts are also calling this a stunt. GGGGRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!
Scoop Becky! wtg! must have been great!
Thanks for the info, Becky. Good to know there are some in Congress who still care about the people they represent.
Becky,
Great report. You and bloggers “DCH” and “AlexaShrugged” have done a better job than I did in reporting “What we saw at The Second American Revolution: The War for American Energy Independence”.
Right on,John, while the agent held at gun point in Ariz. by mexican military personel, never happened in their eyes.
Way to go Becky!!! I wish I could go and bring my family. Too far to drive and I’m not flying.
I will be praying for this agent. I sure as heck hope he doesn’t end up in prison for this.
Yes, and it’s the Republicans. I met a Republican Representative when I went to the House, and a few days later they called me directly! I was so honored, humbled, and impressed! Meanwhile, the Dhimmicrat Representatives won’t even return calls we make to them!
Which party stands up for the “little guy”?
Republicans!
Excellent job Becky, thank you! I so wish I could go to D.C. too, but will continue to sign petitions, keep my family and friends updated on the latest happenings and work with local Republican organizations. Keep up the fight, House GOP and most importantly, push back against the treacherous Gang of Ten!
I am from Missouri. My 2 senators are worthless – one republican, one democrat. My congressman, Graves, is a gem. I have been to a town meeting and was very impressed with him. I send him faxes and he actually responds. Wow! I wish I could personally thank those holding this ‘revolt’, especially Blunt. Maybe Missouri does have some real patriots after all. (I just called senators Graham and Thune in DC to talk to their staff about the gang of 10. I hope it gets disbanded soon – lousy rinos.)
I’m glad to see some Republicans finally grow a backbone.
If only the Party could get good Conservative leadership, instead of the likes of John McCain, Mel Martinez, et. al. maybe it would really make a comeback.
I am so bummed my family and I missed this. We were in DC in July and would have loved to have seen this happening.
We did get to tour the White House too, so Becky and her family will love that. I thought it was so historical and never felt more proud to be an American. Of course, I love Pres. Bush so I enjoyed all the photos of him and Laura.
I am glad the Republicans are still talking on the floor. I know Nancy & the Dems will cave soon…
What a great example for your daughter. I wish that more of us could get to Washington to show the Republicans our support, and to show the Dems that we’re not going to take this anymore.
Best,
Jim C
Oh where oh where have the Democrats gone?
Oh where oh where can they be?
On vacation to places, they don’t want to be seen,
doing what’s right for you and me
IF this had been just a stunt, these men would have gone home after a couple of days with no lights, cameras or microphones. Especially since the media have mostly ignored it or ridiculed it when they have bothered to cover it.
This is what the people want, our representatives actually taking a stand for us.
Way to go guys, keep it up!
Steve Chabot is not the rep of Hamilton ( Butler County) John Boehner is, Chabot is in Hamilton county – We just moved from Chabot’s district ( Forest Park) to Liberty Township which is just East of Hamilton, heck our PO is the Hamilton PO which is how close we are – Boehner is our rep – either way it was a great report and wish i could have been there
Becky – Great report. Thanks.
My concern is—- the dems will come back in Sept. Allow a debate / vote – then load the bill with tons of pork and massive restrictions on drilling – opening the companies up to litigation -which would result in tremendous delays and the Republicans will have to vote NO! Then, the Dems will blame the Reps for not getting anything done…..
The Reps need to be laying the ground work against all this NOW. They need to let the public know they will not vote on a bill which is not limited to allowing exploration and drilling in ANWR and the OCS. Then, congress can start working on a comprehensive alternative energy policy.
I’ll ask again. If the restrictions are set to automatically expire on October 1st and President Bush is in favor of it, why not just sit back and wait? If the Democrats manage to renew the restrictions, President Bush will veto them, and that will be that. Any kind of compromise legislation is going to give away much too much.
There are two signs above the Speakers chair.
One says “In God We Trust” and the other says something about the importance of using all of the American Resources or assets available to us.
Maybe someone here knows or can find pictures?
TO COOL! I only wish that I could make it to DC and take part in this. I have tried to contact my rep but she does not resonded to email of even phone calls from me anymore. Feels like I have a restraining order against me, but the local MSM Print can only talk about her new husband and the fact that she is with a mass of cells growing inside(most of us think of this as being with child)she is a DEM and CLAIMS TO BE A BLUE DOG but, after NANCY came durring her re-election bid she is now PROPRETY of NANCY and Must have a TAT that say’s OWNED and OPERATED by NANCY and the VERY FAR LEFT…
SAD,SAD DAYS AHEAD if the DEMS GET ANYMORE SEATS IN NOV… Having said that I am not so sure that the REPBS should have another chance in POWER for a VERY LONG TIME. They for the most part have not learned their lesson yet. This current display give me hope but, look at the PORK and VOTING RECORD of this last session and I have to hang my head in shame becuse of this party and the direction it has been on for far to long… Maybe a little more humble pie is needed… If we are luck the BALANCE of POWER will not SHIFT to much either way…..
You wanna hear something funny??? I know Becky her daughter attended the same grade school as my daughter!!!!!
GREAT report Becky!!!!
(I do agree with Yeper that Boehner is our Congressman and not Chabot)
From your favorite former St. Julie brownie leader!
The Dems are sitting back and waiting for that perfect storm…like drilling…to insert hate crimes legislation, or something just as rotten.
Great report of your visit to congress. I’m copying your visit next week. Hopefully, they keep the debate going.
Well Done, Young Lady. Great AAR and my hat is off to you.
(However, the particular shade of green I currently wear is not very becoming.)
You were indeed a part of history, and it probably will not happen again in our lifetime.
Alexa is a jewel. She was with us last September during the GoE III rally and is a member of my PW chapter in DC.
I love meeting these young conservative tigers. They are the future and from my position, the future looks better and better. It also helps that she is a baby-doll.;)
See-dubya and Michelle, you should send Alexa a complimentary registration for the blog.
Just a thought.