Congresswoman Beatty Votes Against House Republican Rules Package
Congresswoman Beatty Votes Against House Republican Rules Package
Congressional Republicans take unprecedented step to stifle the ability
of fellow Members of Congress to voice concerns of their constituency
WASHINGTON, DC – On January 3, 2017, the U.S. House of Representatives enacted The Rules Package for the 115th Congress, H.Res. 5, on a party-line vote of 234 to 193. The adopted rules package will impose a fine against a Member of Congress for the use of electronic photography, audio, visual, recording or broadcasting on the House Floor—an unprecedented move by House Republicans in reaction to the House Democratic sit-in to force votes on gun violence prevention legislation on June 22 and 23. Following passage of the resolution, U.S. Congresswoman Joyce Beatty (OH-03) stated,
“Although Congressional Republicans finally reversed course on their plan to eliminate the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, they refuse to budge on a provision that will hamper a Member of Congress’ ability to fully voice the concerns of their constituency. The politically-motivated provision inserted into the House Rules Package was designed to punish House Democrats, including me, who spoke out on the need for gun violence prevention legislation, but in reality it will actually affect Democrats and Republicans alike. I refuse to support such an unprecedented move.”
Prior to full consideration by the House, Congressional Republicans also included language in the rules package to eliminate the independent Office of Congressional Ethics, preventing it from reviewing anonymous complaints and placing its authority under control of the Committee on Ethics which is controlled by Members of Congress. Reaction to the Republicans’ plan to gut the independent ethics committee was met with swift pushback from Americans across the political spectrum, forcing Republicans to make a late change to the rules package only hours before the scheduled vote on the House Floor.
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