The House will consider 142 amendments Thursday during the debate over the National Defense Authorization Act, the Hill reports.
Late Wednesday, Rep. James McGovern (D., Mass.) brought nearly 100 amendments not made in order to the Rules Committee, asking the committee to vote on motions to make the amendments in order--one at a time by roll call vote, intentionally wasting hours of time. McGovern has advocating an expedited withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan.
Not all members on the Rules Committee were thrilled with the protest tactic.
"I think we’ve gotten this, that Mr. McGovern is not happy," Rep. Pete Sessions (R., Texas) said, interrupting a vote around 11 p.m. "I think this is also behavior that I wonder if people have been out drinking tonight, or if they are mad or angry or incapable of controlling themselves? And I would question that tonight."
The hearing adjourned at 11:58 p.m., after 85 amendments.
Transcript:
REP. MCGOVERN: Thank you very much. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment to the rule. I move that the committee make an order to make the necessary waivers to amendment number 167 by Mr. Miller of California. It would exclude nuclear and nonnuclear health and safety, security and financial oversight of covered contractors—covered contractors, period.
CLERK: Vote occurs on the McGovern amendment, those in favor say aye:
MCGOVERN: Aye.
CLERK: Those not in favor say no.
GROUP: No.
MCGOVERN: I ask for a roll call. Clerk, call the roll.
CLERK: Mr. Sessions.
REP. SESSIONS: No.
CLERK: Mr. Sessions votes no. Ms. Foxx.
REP. FOXX: No.
CLERK: Ms. Foxx votes no. Mr. Bishop.
REP. BISHOP: No.
CLERK: Mr. Bishop votes no. Mr. Woodall.
REP. WOODALL: No.
CLERK: Mr. Woodall votes no. Mr. Nugent.
REP. NUGENT: No.
CLERK: Mr. Nugent votes no. Mr. Scott.
REP. SCOTT: No.
CLERK: Mr. Scott votes no. Mr. Webster.
REP. WEBSTER: No.
CLERK: Mr. Webster votes no. Ms. Slaughter. Mr. McGovern.
MCGOVERN: Aye.
CLERK: Mr. McGovern votes aye. Mr. Hastings. Mr. Poulos. Mr. Chairman.
REP. DAVID DREIER: No.
CLERK: Mr. Chairman votes no.
SESSIONS: Mr. Chairman?
CLERK: One yea, eight nay.
DREIER: And the amendment fails. Mr. Sessions.
SESSIONS: Mr. Chairman, I think we’ve gotten this, that Mr. McGovern is not happy. I think this is also behavior that I wonder if people have been out drinking tonight, or if they are mad or angry or incapable of controlling themselves? And I would question that tonight.
MCGOVERN: I take offense by that, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the rule, Mr. Chairman, and I would say to the gentleman, that you know, there’s some issues worth fighting over, and for me, ending this war is one of them. I’m sorry that the gentleman doesn’t take that very seriously.
SESSIONS: Simply asking a question. If the shoe fits.
MCGOVERN: Yes, Mr. Chairman. I have an amendment to the rule. I move that the committee make an order to make the necessary waivers to amendment 36 by Mr. Moran of Virginia and Ms. Capps of California.
CLERK: Vote occurs on the—
MCGOVERN: Wait a minute, I want to make sure the gentleman from Texas understands what this amendment does, so he doesn’t misunderstand me. It would establish a benefit plan annuities for special needs trust that benefits of dependent children incapable of self-support. So that’s what the amendment does.
CLERK: Vote occurs on the McGovern amendment. Those in favor say aye.
MCGOVERN: Aye.
CLERK: Those not in favor say no.
GROUP: No.
MCGOVERN: Mr. Chairman, I will ask for a roll call vote on that.
CLERK: Mr. Sessions.
SESSIONS: No.
CLERK: Mr. Sessions votes no.