During reading of Constitution, House Republicans violate Constitution

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Friday, January 7, 2011 10:25 EST
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GOP Congressman may have broken the law by soliciting funds at swearing-in event

Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) may have broken the law Wednesday when he skipped his swearing in, and instead hosted a campaign event.

Congressional ethics experts told The Huffington Post that it is against House ethics rules to solicit funds for events at the Capitol.

The invitation to “Mike Fitzpatrick’s Swearing In Celebration” asked for contributions of $30 or more, but a spokesman for the congressman said the event was not a fundraiser.

Original story continues below…

Rep. Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) have cast votes as members of the 112th Congress without being officially sworn-in, a violation of the United States Constitution.

Both Republican congressmen failed to attend the swearing-in at the House chamber Wednesday because they were at the Capitol Visitors Center. They reportedly tried to take their oath while watching the swearing-in on television.

Under the Constitution, which was read on the House floor by Rep. Fitzpatrick and other Republicans Thursday, members of Congress must be sworn-in before conducting official business.

After discovering that Sessions had not been sworn-in, House Rules Chairman David Dreier (R-CA) was forced to adjourn a Rules Committee hearing on a Republican health care repeal bill Thursday.

Rep. Sessions and Rep. Fitzpatrick both voted eight times in the 112th Congress without being sworn-in, according to Roll Call. Under parliamentary procedures, those votes do not count.

“During the swearing in of the 112th Congress, Congressman Sessions stated the oath publicly in the Capitol but was not on the House floor,” Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for Sessions, said. “To ensure that all constitutional and House requirements are fulfilled, Congressman Sessions officially took the oath of office this afternoon from the House floor. Public records and votes will be adjusted accordingly.”

Rep. Fitzpatrick was also re-administered the oath of office by House Speaker John Boehner Thursday afternoon.

Rep. Boehner is seeking to convince Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to agree to a unanimous consent decree that would allow the unofficial votes cast by Sessions and Fitzpatrick to count retroactively. It is unknown whether Democrats will agree to let a unanimous consent agreement go forward.

“Despite the fact that they read the Constitution today, they should have read it yesterday, actually,” a senior Democratic aide told Roll Call. “I guess swearing in their Members wasn’t part of their pledge.”

In a year when Republicans have promised to reduce wasteful spending, it was estimated that reciting the Constitution on the House floor cost taxpayers nearly $1.1 million.

Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said on Tuesday that his party plans to cut $100 billion in spending this year. GOP leadership has said cuts to the US defense budget are out of the question, making key safety-net programs like Medicare, food stamps and Social Security the sole target of their legislative agenda.

Along with cutting spending, Republicans have promised to scrap “job-killing” health care laws, crack down on illegal immigration, cut diplomatic and foreign aid funds, and investigate the Obama administration.

The Congressional Budget Office has estimated a repeal of Obama’s health reform laws would cost the US $1.2 trillion over the next 20 years.

Though Republicans said they will reduce spending by requiring cost-saving measures for all new fund outlays, they exempted a potential repeal of health care reform from the rule.

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  • Ed Dominguez

    The GOP make up there own rules, or believe that rules do not apply to them.

  • Anonymous

    That’s ok. Republicans are allowed to break laws and ignore the Constituion at will. The newbies are just building their street creds.

  • Anonymous

    “Off the floor” is a euphemism for fund raising. They spend 90% of their time fund raising for the next election, so sometimes they miss some things.

  • http://twitter.com/llotek1 Daniel Enright

    Oh ya, republicans have the idea. Cut everything to do with the impoverished…cause maybe they will just die. Then, cutting the deficit will be that much easier, cause all those lazy poor and middle class will disappear and Republicans can start making real money for the bank exec’s, financial firms and other corps that have destroyed the country in the first place. And the Dems can make up for it by appointing people like William Daley of JP Morgan Chase. Cause that crook knows how to balance the books better than any run of the mill Joe ever could. Thanks America, yer making the world a safer place….for big corporations.

  • Anonymous

    Holy crap, Batman. Here we go again. Some of these Rethuglicans need to be expelled from the Congress and go to jail. Nothing else will get their attention. They are so childish that it is hard to believe that they could get elected to anything.

  • Anonymous

    Pete Sessions is NOT a newbie. That piece of shit has been in congress for years, now. HE KNOWS BETTER. He just doesn’t CARE. Typical for a republican. I hope this comes back to kick him right in the ass, and HARD. but of course, he’s a republican, so it won’t.

  • http://twitter.com/llotek1 Daniel Enright

    at least they dont miss anything important…?????????

  • Jay Getty

    Raw lies…they made a mistake, acknowledged it as soon as it was known, and corrected it immediately…la di da…and the votes do not count so no harm done or Constitution violated…

  • Jay Getty

    Raw lies…they made a mistake, acknowledged it as soon as it was known, and corrected it immediately…la di da…and the votes do not count so no harm done or Constitution violated…

  • Jay Getty

    Raw lies…they made a mistake, acknowledged it as soon as it was known, and corrected it immediately…la di da…and the votes do not count so no harm done or Constitution violated…

  • Taleisin

    Thank God it wasn’t a couple of democrats, or this would have been a serious matter !

  • Taleisin

    Thank God it wasn’t a couple of democrats, or this would have been a serious matter !

  • Taleisin

    Thank God it wasn’t a couple of democrats, or this would have been a serious matter !

  • Anonymous

    I can understand their confusion! After all, when a politician is used to being above the law on most things it is sometimes hard to remember which ones are mandatory to put on a good show for the voters. Boner will have to hone up on his communication skills! This does go to show one why the republicans vie for public office. Not to serve, but to line their pockets with lobbyist money! They always come first!

  • Anonymous

    I can understand their confusion! After all, when a politician is used to being above the law on most things it is sometimes hard to remember which ones are mandatory to put on a good show for the voters. Boner will have to hone up on his communication skills! This does go to show one why the republicans vie for public office. Not to serve, but to line their pockets with lobbyist money! They always come first!

  • Anonymous

    I can understand their confusion! After all, when a politician is used to being above the law on most things it is sometimes hard to remember which ones are mandatory to put on a good show for the voters. Boner will have to hone up on his communication skills! This does go to show one why the republicans vie for public office. Not to serve, but to line their pockets with lobbyist money! They always come first!

  • Anonymous

    Raw cons the left just like Drudge cons the right.
    Same ol song and dance.

    Raw is no better than those masquerading as their antithesis.
    Puppets on the left, puppets on the right, same entity operates both puppetts.

  • Anonymous

    Raw cons the left just like Drudge cons the right.
    Same ol song and dance.

    Raw is no better than those masquerading as their antithesis.
    Puppets on the left, puppets on the right, same entity operates both puppetts.

  • Anonymous

    Raw cons the left just like Drudge cons the right.
    Same ol song and dance.

    Raw is no better than those masquerading as their antithesis.
    Puppets on the left, puppets on the right, same entity operates both puppetts.

  • Anonymous

    They remind me of the keystone kops. It would be funny if they weren’t in control of the country!

  • Anonymous

    They remind me of the keystone kops. It would be funny if they weren’t in control of the country!

  • Anonymous

    They remind me of the keystone kops. It would be funny if they weren’t in control of the country!

  • Anonymous

    A great start. Republicans violated the Constitution before they even got out of the gate.

    A great start. Republicans promised to reduce wasteful spending. Before the ink even dried on that promise the Republicans pickpocketed over 1 million dollars out of the taxpayers pocket. What did the Republicans do with that money they ripped off? The answer is they used to do a sleazy publicity stunt reading the Constitution.

    Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said on Tuesday that his party plans to cut $100 billion in spending this year. Has anyone noticed that is the same amount the tax cuts to the wealthy will cost Americans. Shall we put it thise way, rob fromm the poor to pay the rich.

    Republicans have promised to scrap “job-killing” health care laws, Has anyone noticed how the health care law is being framed as job killing without word as to how the law is killing jobs. Republicans are known to flat out lie and distort, ie. Death Panel, Birther, trickle down, Frank Luntz don’t call it this because the people will like it, call it that because the people won’t like it. Republicans won by fraud and distortion of the issues. Call the Republicans on it, “how will the bill kill jobs?”

    Republicans have promised to…investigate the Obama administration. Oh great another witch hunt. Last time it cost the tax payers 70 million dollars. This time it will probably cost 140 million dollars and maybe this time we will find out if the white house toilet paper is two ply instead of one ply, can you imagine the outrage that will cause. The bozo who will run this scam is a Republican who has already said in an interview that Obama was guilty of corruption and this verdict was even before any investigation was done. This clown was called on it and back peddled. But he is still there to waste time and money.

    Republicans are not in it as team players to “We the People” Republicans are Machiavellians. The thing about being a Machiavellian is that it isn’t about doing what you can for the people, but rather it’s about gaining power. That’s Why the Republican leader Rush Limbaugh said he hopes the nation fails and the Republicans have taken it beyond hope, they are actually making sure the nation fails.

  • Anonymous

    A great start. Republicans violated the Constitution before they even got out of the gate.

    A great start. Republicans promised to reduce wasteful spending. Before the ink even dried on that promise the Republicans pickpocketed over 1 million dollars out of the taxpayers pocket. What did the Republicans do with that money they ripped off? The answer is they used to do a sleazy publicity stunt reading the Constitution.

    Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said on Tuesday that his party plans to cut $100 billion in spending this year. Has anyone noticed that is the same amount the tax cuts to the wealthy will cost Americans. Shall we put it thise way, rob fromm the poor to pay the rich.

    Republicans have promised to scrap “job-killing” health care laws, Has anyone noticed how the health care law is being framed as job killing without word as to how the law is killing jobs. Republicans are known to flat out lie and distort, ie. Death Panel, Birther, trickle down, Frank Luntz don’t call it this because the people will like it, call it that because the people won’t like it. Republicans won by fraud and distortion of the issues. Call the Republicans on it, “how will the bill kill jobs?”

    Republicans have promised to…investigate the Obama administration. Oh great another witch hunt. Last time it cost the tax payers 70 million dollars. This time it will probably cost 140 million dollars and maybe this time we will find out if the white house toilet paper is two ply instead of one ply, can you imagine the outrage that will cause. The bozo who will run this scam is a Republican who has already said in an interview that Obama was guilty of corruption and this verdict was even before any investigation was done. This clown was called on it and back peddled. But he is still there to waste time and money.

    Republicans are not in it as team players to “We the People” Republicans are Machiavellians. The thing about being a Machiavellian is that it isn’t about doing what you can for the people, but rather it’s about gaining power. That’s Why the Republican leader Rush Limbaugh said he hopes the nation fails and the Republicans have taken it beyond hope, they are actually making sure the nation fails.

  • Anonymous

    A great start. Republicans violated the Constitution before they even got out of the gate.

    A great start. Republicans promised to reduce wasteful spending. Before the ink even dried on that promise the Republicans pickpocketed over 1 million dollars out of the taxpayers pocket. What did the Republicans do with that money they ripped off? The answer is they used to do a sleazy publicity stunt reading the Constitution.

    Republican Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-VA) said on Tuesday that his party plans to cut $100 billion in spending this year. Has anyone noticed that is the same amount the tax cuts to the wealthy will cost Americans. Shall we put it thise way, rob fromm the poor to pay the rich.

    Republicans have promised to scrap “job-killing” health care laws, Has anyone noticed how the health care law is being framed as job killing without word as to how the law is killing jobs. Republicans are known to flat out lie and distort, ie. Death Panel, Birther, trickle down, Frank Luntz don’t call it this because the people will like it, call it that because the people won’t like it. Republicans won by fraud and distortion of the issues. Call the Republicans on it, “how will the bill kill jobs?”

    Republicans have promised to…investigate the Obama administration. Oh great another witch hunt. Last time it cost the tax payers 70 million dollars. This time it will probably cost 140 million dollars and maybe this time we will find out if the white house toilet paper is two ply instead of one ply, can you imagine the outrage that will cause. The bozo who will run this scam is a Republican who has already said in an interview that Obama was guilty of corruption and this verdict was even before any investigation was done. This clown was called on it and back peddled. But he is still there to waste time and money.

    Republicans are not in it as team players to “We the People” Republicans are Machiavellians. The thing about being a Machiavellian is that it isn’t about doing what you can for the people, but rather it’s about gaining power. That’s Why the Republican leader Rush Limbaugh said he hopes the nation fails and the Republicans have taken it beyond hope, they are actually making sure the nation fails.

  • Anonymous

    Kinda makes you wonder about the electorate, doesn’t it?

  • Anonymous

    These idiots are already stepping on their own dicks. The only people more foolish are the folks who voted them into office.

  • surgethis

    What Is this dailycaller ad asking if Pelosi should quit? Has the Huffington Post been infiltrated by the right wing would be a better question.

  • surgethis

    Totally agree with this comment.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_HGHFALGGZ2RYXLJIKA6MG7BVMI kathleen

    They’re gonna teach dems the constitution and they dont know it themselves. LOL. Theyre gonna cut costs by cutting off the legs of domestic aid at a time when its most needed. Trillions for a lying war but cut foodstamps for out of work Americans. Theyre gonna cut foreign aid but they’ll leave Israel on full $$$ support…..bettcha. And I also bet they wont even look at the waste in contracting or Homeland Security with it’s 250,000 employees (to spy on American Citizens).. nor the pentagon or any of their own in house waste.but, its……….BUSINESS AS USUAL FOLKS! What they need is to have an informed citizen read the Constitution!

  • surgethis

    What. Oh I get it. If you run a red light but then acknowledge you made a mistake then you didn’t actually run the light so no law broken. Second if you read the article you’d have noticed the faultless republicans are asking that the votes count anyway.if these were Democrats Hannity and Beck would have made this mistake a socialist plot to ignor the constitution. But then only the mentally damaged republicans could bungle this and then sweep it under the rug … Next they will try to remove the rule about being sworn in.

  • surgethis

    Love your icon.

  • Anonymous

    Who here really thinks the Repubs actually CARE about the Constitution? It’s just a piece of paper to drag out when they want a boost in the polls.

  • Anonymous

    Their dicks are certainly not long enough to step on.

  • Anonymous

    Their dicks are certainly not long enough to step on.

  • Anonymous

    If it was a couple of Democrats, Faux Nooz would have reported the hell out of it and called for their resignations.

  • Anonymous

    If it was a couple of Democrats, Faux Nooz would have reported the hell out of it and called for their resignations.

  • Anonymous

    Fired!

  • Anonymous

    Fired!

  • Anonymous

    Running a red light is breaking the law. This is a procedural violation. The punishment is that they aren’t allowed to engage in any Congressional business, including voting, until they are sworn in.

    If anyone should be pissed, it’s the people of Pennsylvania and Texas. These yahoos essentially disenfranchised their constituents until they were voted in.

  • Anonymous

    Running a red light is breaking the law. This is a procedural violation. The punishment is that they aren’t allowed to engage in any Congressional business, including voting, until they are sworn in.

    If anyone should be pissed, it’s the people of Pennsylvania and Texas. These yahoos essentially disenfranchised their constituents until they were voted in.

  • Anonymous

    Or wipe their asses with it!

  • Anonymous

    Or wipe their asses with it!

  • Anonymous

    Silly Republican’t rabbits!

  • Anonymous

    Silly Republican’t rabbits!

  • ghostof911

    Given that most election districts use unverifiable, electronic voting systems built and managed by companies with close ties to the Republican party, it remains questionable that they were actually voted into office. Elections which were easily stolen at the national level in 2000 and 2004 can be more easily stolen at the statewide and local levels with much less fanfare.

  • ghostof911

    Given that most election districts use unverifiable, electronic voting systems built and managed by companies with close ties to the Republican party, it remains questionable that they were actually voted into office. Elections which were easily stolen at the national level in 2000 and 2004 can be more easily stolen at the statewide and local levels with much less fanfare.

  • Anonymous

    Business as usual! Tea party smoke and mirrors! Why would they get rid of their greedy ways now?

  • Anonymous

    Business as usual! Tea party smoke and mirrors! Why would they get rid of their greedy ways now?

  • An American Hero

    I read the comment on here and PEOPLE get a clue they are the new guys they were doing what they were supposed to do and the sign in is just a small mistake ANYONE NEW could have made , but you people will throw anyone under a bus to bash a Rep. Get this obama is not president and needs to be removed no matter what you want to believe.

  • An American Hero

    I read the comment on here and PEOPLE get a clue they are the new guys they were doing what they were supposed to do and the sign in is just a small mistake ANYONE NEW could have made , but you people will throw anyone under a bus to bash a Rep. Get this obama is not president and needs to be removed no matter what you want to believe.

  • http://topsy.com/www.rawstory.com/rs/2011/01/reading-constitution-house-republicans-violate-constitution/?utm_source=pingback&utm_campaign=L2 Tweets that mention During reading of Constitution, House Republicans violate Constitution | Raw Story — Topsy.com

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Rob, Consultants UnLimitd and others. Consultants UnLimitd said: RT @RawStory Really: During reading of #Constitution, Hse Republicans violate #Constitution http://su.pr/174vnV >It's what they do! [...]

  • DonnalBaine

    Hey there. Remember when Obama stuttered on his Oath? It was required that he do it again because of the known HATE the right has for him. No mercy, these 2 should not have their votes counted. Let’s try and have one standard, because the double standard ALWAYS comes with an expense.

  • DonnalBaine

    Hey there. Remember when Obama stuttered on his Oath? It was required that he do it again because of the known HATE the right has for him. No mercy, these 2 should not have their votes counted. Let’s try and have one standard, because the double standard ALWAYS comes with an expense.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J2BKVG44GLNRGIAYKD7UO4O27E Arthur Young

    You are pretty funny with that get a clue. First off Obama has been President since 2008 and his first term will come up 2012, no matter what you think or I think the person occuping the Oval Office serves a 4 year stint unless they are reelected. From your perspective this was a small mistake, yet anybody Left of John Wayne is ridiculed/ slandered/ and ostracised by the Republican Party for the slightest of reasons.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_J2BKVG44GLNRGIAYKD7UO4O27E Arthur Young

    You are pretty funny with that get a clue. First off Obama has been President since 2008 and his first term will come up 2012, no matter what you think or I think the person occuping the Oval Office serves a 4 year stint unless they are reelected. From your perspective this was a small mistake, yet anybody Left of John Wayne is ridiculed/ slandered/ and ostracised by the Republican Party for the slightest of reasons.

  • Anonymous

    Raw lies??
    Nope. In order for their voted to count they must be sworn in.
    Pretty simple.

    The question of honesty belongs to you, and you fail.

  • Anonymous

    Raw lies??
    Nope. In order for their voted to count they must be sworn in.
    Pretty simple.

    The question of honesty belongs to you, and you fail.

  • Anonymous

    Obama has been president since 2009.

  • Anonymous

    Obama has been president since 2009.

  • Anonymous

    Voting without being sworn in is not a small mistake. They knew what they were doing (these people know the law and how to break it) and now the GOP is trying to let them get away with it.

    What planet have you been on for the past 2 years? Obama has been President and will be President through the very least 2012. Unless he gets defeated in the next election, he will remain his post.

    As far as us “lefties” throwing any GOP member under the bus… I’d look at your own party doing exactly what you claim we are doing. That party is throwing ALL Americans under the bus. And by all, I am referring to real hard working Americans that Corporate America is single-handedly destroying.

  • Anonymous

    Voting without being sworn in is not a small mistake. They knew what they were doing (these people know the law and how to break it) and now the GOP is trying to let them get away with it.

    What planet have you been on for the past 2 years? Obama has been President and will be President through the very least 2012. Unless he gets defeated in the next election, he will remain his post.

    As far as us “lefties” throwing any GOP member under the bus… I’d look at your own party doing exactly what you claim we are doing. That party is throwing ALL Americans under the bus. And by all, I am referring to real hard working Americans that Corporate America is single-handedly destroying.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3NVQSZZC5IM66JEOCSFJUV7FCE Jacques G

    Play by the RULES you mothers! You claim “constitution” then LIVE by it dammit! No Pledge? NOOO Vote!
    We’ll be seeing a lot of rug pulling by the GOP-ers, just you wait. The sun had not even set on their first day and they’ve already committed a series of violations/ promise breaks/ flip fops/ reversals…. This is going to be a Verrrrry intersting/frustrating/maddening two years.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3NVQSZZC5IM66JEOCSFJUV7FCE Jacques G

    Play by the RULES you mothers! You claim “constitution” then LIVE by it dammit! No Pledge? NOOO Vote!
    We’ll be seeing a lot of rug pulling by the GOP-ers, just you wait. The sun had not even set on their first day and they’ve already committed a series of violations/ promise breaks/ flip fops/ reversals…. This is going to be a Verrrrry intersting/frustrating/maddening two years.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3NVQSZZC5IM66JEOCSFJUV7FCE Jacques G

    HEY! Even though Hawaii is on the Pacific Plate and not on the North American Plate, it is still a STATE of the US!! Get over it. Your “birther” strawman is just that, a figment of the TEAdiots’ imaginations. He’s PRESIDENT! Wake up from your FUX/Beck/Limbaugh induced stupor! And we don’t need a “bus” to bash Republicans, they’ll do it to themselves just fine.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3NVQSZZC5IM66JEOCSFJUV7FCE Jacques G

    HEY! Even though Hawaii is on the Pacific Plate and not on the North American Plate, it is still a STATE of the US!! Get over it. Your “birther” strawman is just that, a figment of the TEAdiots’ imaginations. He’s PRESIDENT! Wake up from your FUX/Beck/Limbaugh induced stupor! And we don’t need a “bus” to bash Republicans, they’ll do it to themselves just fine.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/3NVQSZZC5IM66JEOCSFJUV7FCE Jacques G

    HEY! Even though Hawaii is on the Pacific Plate and not on the North American Plate, it is still a STATE of the US!! Get over it. Your “birther” strawman is just that, a figment of the TEAdiots’ imaginations. He’s PRESIDENT! Wake up from your FUX/Beck/Limbaugh induced stupor! And we don’t need a “bus” to bash Republicans, they’ll do it to themselves just fine.

  • Anonymous

    The Kabuki House/Congress are clearly clueless and now everyone can see it. Obama could explain to the idiots how to correct this violation but he wont. Now when this so called repeal goes to the Senate it will be dropped as it isn’t legal as two votes were not at the time sworn is office.

  • Anonymous

    They violated the US Constitution AND they want their votes to count. Typical republicans.

  • http://twitter.com/btmfdrsheaven rebecca meritt

    they counted the votes already, he is president and if he’s not your president then you’re not American

  • Anonymous

    The US Constitution is not just ‘a procedure’, it is what everything else depends upon.

    “Rep. Boehner is seeking to convince Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to agree to a unanimous consent decree that would allow the unofficial votes cast by Sessions and Fitzpatrick to count retroactively.”

    And they want their votes to count. Are you stupid or just reading impaired?

  • Anonymous

    Sessions has served for years.

  • http://twitter.com/btmfdrsheaven rebecca meritt

    you’ve exposed the hazing of new GOP pledges must be able to lie and go unnoticed.

  • Phil E. Drifter
  • Phil E. Drifter
  • Phil E. Drifter
  • Phil E. Drifter

    So make a stink through the proper channels. Bitchin’ about it here does zero good.

  • Phil E. Drifter

    So make a stink through the proper channels. Bitchin’ about it here does zero good.

  • Phil E. Drifter

    So make a stink through the proper channels. Bitchin’ about it here does zero good.

  • Anonymous

    I watched this pathetic coverage of them reading the constitution line by line taking up hours of time when they could have been attempting to get stuff done. This is just another ploy to stall any legislation. About the only entertaining thing that happened out of this GOP-favored giant waste of time and money was when a birther shouted about Obama not being from the country and “God help them.” They are so hypocritical it almost makes me laugh. They consistently, blatantly violate the constitution and yet they insist on reading it sentence by sentence splitting it up amongst all of them to stall congress all while conjuring up plans for breaking up the constitution more.

  • Anonymous

    I watched this pathetic coverage of them reading the constitution line by line taking up hours of time when they could have been attempting to get stuff done. This is just another ploy to stall any legislation. About the only entertaining thing that happened out of this GOP-favored giant waste of time and money was when a birther shouted about Obama not being from the country and “God help them.” They are so hypocritical it almost makes me laugh. They consistently, blatantly violate the constitution and yet they insist on reading it sentence by sentence splitting it up amongst all of them to stall congress all while conjuring up plans for breaking up the constitution more.

  • Anonymous

    I watched this pathetic coverage of them reading the constitution line by line taking up hours of time when they could have been attempting to get stuff done. This is just another ploy to stall any legislation. About the only entertaining thing that happened out of this GOP-favored giant waste of time and money was when a birther shouted about Obama not being from the country and “God help them.” They are so hypocritical it almost makes me laugh. They consistently, blatantly violate the constitution and yet they insist on reading it sentence by sentence splitting it up amongst all of them to stall congress all while conjuring up plans for breaking up the constitution more.

  • Mr. Neutron

    Rep. Boehner is seeking to convince Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to agree to a unanimous consent decree that would allow the unofficial votes cast by Sessions and Fitzpatrick to count retroactively.

    Hey Nancy, we’re a bunch of fucking moron money-grubbing incompetent alcoholics.
    Can we get a do over ?

  • Mr. Neutron

    They consistently, blatantly violate the constitution and yet they insist on reading it sentence by sentence…

    The douchebags can’t even read the Constitution correctly – this is probably the first time they’ve ever seen it:

    http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/136475-entire-section-of-the-constitution-inadvertently-skipped-in-this-mornings-historic-reading
    During Thursday morning’s “historic reading,” one member apparently skipped Article 4 Section 4 and part of Article 5 when he or she inadvertently turned two pages at once, Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), who was in charge of the reading, said on the House floor this afternoon.
    “The Constitution was placed in a three-ring binder, and the pages simply stuck together,” said Rexrode.

    They also skipped over the embarrassing parts which were later amended, such as:
    http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/136377-which-version-of-the-constitution
    Representatives and direct Taxes shall be apportioned among the several States which may be included within this Union, according to their respective Numbers, which shall be determined by adding to the whole Number of free Persons, including those bound to Service for a Term of Years, and excluding Indians not taxed, three fifths of all other Persons.

    “all other Persons” meaning Slaves.
    http://www.usconstitution.net/const.html

  • Trupatriot77

    NO, Jan. 20th 2009 is when he took his oath. Get it right, haterboy!

  • Anonymous

    “What’s you gonna dooooooo, what’s you gonna do when when they come for you”????

    Seems Barack Obama is going to have to possibly tell his communist/socialist czars to find work else where. We hear that Hugo Chavez and Valdimir Putin are hiring these days.

    http://www.theblaze.com/stories/gop-introduces-bill-to-roll-back-executive-branch-czars/

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/6EX2KJ7LSZMDCBZWCH62Q7CABY Sandra

    Damn! There were a hellof a lot of Democrats involved in all that too! I guess you missed the memo on your boss hiring a top JP Morgan exec as cheif of staff.

  • Anonymous

    Hey Socialistarian……..maybe Lt.Col. could invite you over for diner and he could educate your sorry ass on the consequences of becoming a socialist/communist you moron:

    http://www.morningstartv.com/oak-initiative/marxism-america

  • Mr. Neutron

    Actually, President Obama wasn’t sworn in until January 20th 2009.
    http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/21/us/politics/20web-inaug2.html?_r=1
    He will be President until at least January 20th 2013, and probably January 20th 2017.

    Until you are sworn in, you are not in office – something the GOP leadership is too fucking stupid to explain to their members.
    ———————————————————————————————–

    BTW, the photo above is of Rep. Pete Sessions – he’s been a US Representative since 1997, so there’s no excuse for missing his swearing in ceremony.
    In September 2006, the nonpartisan Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) released its second annual report on the most corrupt members of Congress, titled “Beyond DeLay: The 20 Most Corrupt Members of Congress (and five to watch)”. Sessions was listed as one of the top 20.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pete_Sessions

    As for Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA), he too has been a U.S. Representative before – he was elected in 2004, but lost re-election in 2006. Maybe his close ties to Republican criminals Bob Ney (R-OH), Tom DeLay, (R-TX), and Randy “Duke” Cunningham (R-CA) hurt his re-election, although he very publicly donated to charities the PAC money they gave him. Didn’t work.
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Fitzpatrick

    The two GOPs that missed the swearing-in ceremony are not newcomers – they’re just corrupt idiots.

  • Mr. Neutron

    They’re not – they just conrol the House of Representatives, which can’t pass a single Law without agreement from the Senate and the President.

    So it is funny.

  • Mr. Neutron

    They’re not – they just conrol the House of Representatives, which can’t pass a single Law without agreement from the Senate and the President.

    So it is funny.

  • Mr. Neutron

    They’re not – they just conrol the House of Representatives, which can’t pass a single Law without agreement from the Senate and the President.

    So it is funny.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    While they may have violated the Constitution, they in no way violated the Conservitution.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    You’re a moron, spud-nuts. Did I mention that already?

  • Anonymous

    Are you happy now!

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Invite you over for “diner”. Didn’t they have book learnin’ in your trailer park there?

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    I dare not imagine why the pages were “stuck together”. Ewwww.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    I watched his swearing in. He did not stutter at all. It was that idiot Roberts who forgot the words that every grade school kid has committed to memory.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    So remove him, big shot. BTW, where was he born this week?

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    You mean the oath Justice Roberts fucked up, hatriot?

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Indeed, they are stepping on one another’s.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Mistake? There is no excuse for ignorance of the law and the US Constitution for an elected federal official.

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Horse shit.

  • Anonymous

    You may have that the wrong way round?

  • Anonymous

    You may have that the wrong way round?

  • Anonymous

    You may have that the wrong way round?

  • Anonymous

    You do have a point ! But even when the Dem’s had all three houses it seemed like the repubs were still in control. Not because the Republicans are smarter than the Dems, but because the Dem’s seem so intimidated by them. I’m sure all the comics are thrilled over boner and friends. It’s like having baby bush back in office!

  • Anonymous

    You do have a point ! But even when the Dem’s had all three houses it seemed like the repubs were still in control. Not because the Republicans are smarter than the Dems, but because the Dem’s seem so intimidated by them. I’m sure all the comics are thrilled over boner and friends. It’s like having baby bush back in office!

  • Anonymous

    You do have a point ! But even when the Dem’s had all three houses it seemed like the repubs were still in control. Not because the Republicans are smarter than the Dems, but because the Dem’s seem so intimidated by them. I’m sure all the comics are thrilled over boner and friends. It’s like having baby bush back in office!

  • Anonymous

    What else should we expect from these few privileged?

  • Anonymous

    What else should we expect from these few privileged?

  • Anonymous

    What else should we expect from these few privileged?

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Found a fitting avatar for ya. Help yourself.

    http://tinyurl.com/TehBirther

  • H.P. Loathecraft

    Found a fitting avatar for ya. Help yourself.

    http://tinyurl.com/TehBirther

  • Anonymous

    Yeah and they made a big woopteee doo about Obama’s swearing in due to misspeaking.

    Republican Motto: “Rules for you, and rules for us! Learn it peons!”

  • Anonymous

    Yeah and they made a big woopteee doo about Obama’s swearing in due to misspeaking.

    Republican Motto: “Rules for you, and rules for us! Learn it peons!”

  • Anonymous

    and… Please Don’t Feed the Trolls!

  • Anonymous

    and… Please Don’t Feed the Trolls!

  • Anonymous

    WHAT’S NEW…ALL RE-THUG-LICANS VIOLATE ALL FORMS OF LIFE BY THEIR EXISTENCE.I’M SICK AND TIRED OF THEIR EVIL WAYS;THEY MUST BE STOPPED PERMANENTLY,SO THEY CAN NEVER DO IT AGAIN.SOME OF THE DEMS ARE THE SAME TOO..GET RID OF THE SCUM.

  • Anonymous

    STOP THE RETHUG FEAR TACTICS YOU EVIL TWAT

  • Anonymous

    STOP THE RETHUG FEAR TACTICS YOU EVIL TWAT

  • Anonymous

    WELL IT WAS DUE TO THEIR BRAIN JUICE LEAKING OUT ON THE PAGES.WHAT LITTLE THEY DID HAVE.

  • Anonymous

    WELL IT WAS DUE TO THEIR BRAIN JUICE LEAKING OUT ON THE PAGES.WHAT LITTLE THEY DID HAVE.

  • Anonymous

    Please –don’t encourage to “get stuff done”.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Tater Salad,

    Maybe you should take a political science class or look up the definitions of Communism and Socialism. They are not the same thing.

    Consequences? What, is that a threat? I’d watch yourself. Europe is socialist; are you going to turn on them too?

    Perhaps you don’t know what sarcasm/humor is. I can tell by your white trash screen name you lack that ability to understand.

  • Anonymous

    Hi Tater Salad,

    Maybe you should take a political science class or look up the definitions of Communism and Socialism. They are not the same thing.

    Consequences? What, is that a threat? I’d watch yourself. Europe is socialist; are you going to turn on them too?

    Perhaps you don’t know what sarcasm/humor is. I can tell by your white trash screen name you lack that ability to understand.

  • Anonymous

    They don’t have what it takes to get anything done. All they plan to do is stall, whine, cry, bitch, and cry somemore.

  • Anonymous

    They don’t have what it takes to get anything done. All they plan to do is stall, whine, cry, bitch, and cry somemore.

  • Anonymous

    their vote should not count and they should be fined 5000$$$$ for not being where they should be

  • Anonymous

    their vote should not count and they should be fined 5000$$$$ for not being where they should be

  • Johnny Warbucks

    Oh, please. Can we dispense with the minutia and the plethora of corruption that these characters indulge themselves in on a daily basis? This is tabloid shit at best. And resolves nothing, absolutely nothing. In fact, they could catch those bastards on tape, raping their own mothers, killing their own wives and eating their own kids and nothing would happen to them. So, what’s the freaking point already?

  • Johnny Warbucks

    Oh, please. Can we dispense with the minutia and the plethora of corruption that these characters indulge themselves in on a daily basis? This is tabloid shit at best. And resolves nothing, absolutely nothing. In fact, they could catch those bastards on tape, raping their own mothers, killing their own wives and eating their own kids and nothing would happen to them. So, what’s the freaking point already?

  • Anonymous

    “Fund” raisers – were probably corporate sponsored events – Roberts, Alito or Scalia were surely there & will sign their “hall” passes.

  • Anonymous

    “Fund” raisers – were probably corporate sponsored events – Roberts, Alito or Scalia were surely there & will sign their “hall” passes.

  • Anonymous

    I thought my comment about disenfranchising the good people of Texas and Pennsylvania made my intent clear enough. These guys voted before they were sworn in. This is a violation of procedure, for which the punishment is censure.

    As to whether I am “stupid or just reading impaired,” you’re never going to convince anyone by hurling insults. All you do is weaken your stance and look like a crybaby.

    Or, let me put in in the vernacular that you might understand:

    Go fuck yourself.

  • Anonymous

    I thought my comment about disenfranchising the good people of Texas and Pennsylvania made my intent clear enough. These guys voted before they were sworn in. This is a violation of procedure, for which the punishment is censure.

    As to whether I am “stupid or just reading impaired,” you’re never going to convince anyone by hurling insults. All you do is weaken your stance and look like a crybaby.

    Or, let me put in in the vernacular that you might understand:

    Go fuck yourself.

  • Anonymous

    Voting doesn’t work 1-2-3
    It’s time you know your enemy
    I won’t pledge allegiance to hypocrisy
    Your democracy, is not for me
    Power to the people is just a fantasy
    And they sell it to us as an American dream

    - Corporate Avenger

    http://www.punksandskins.com/download/file.php?avatar=337_1262776887.gif

  • Anonymous

    Voting doesn’t work 1-2-3
    It’s time you know your enemy
    I won’t pledge allegiance to hypocrisy
    Your democracy, is not for me
    Power to the people is just a fantasy
    And they sell it to us as an American dream

    - Corporate Avenger

    http://www.punksandskins.com/download/file.php?avatar=337_1262776887.gif

  • Taleisin

    Surely, the right thing to do would be to abstain rather than vote.
    I would demand an investigation. Even if it means a stern frowning, so be it!

  • Taleisin

    Surely, the right thing to do would be to abstain rather than vote.
    I would demand an investigation. Even if it means a stern frowning, so be it!

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_V5XKDORJ6HIVIZ6V5OTK76KTEY Immortal

    Can’t wait to find out that feeding families is a job-killing activity.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_V5XKDORJ6HIVIZ6V5OTK76KTEY Immortal

    Can’t wait to find out that feeding families is a job-killing activity.

  • dk504

    No John, you can’t. Put your bourbon down, sober up and figure it out. Worker bee no clocked in, worker bee not working. This man is so demented from booze and plain stupidity he just can’t understand ALL rules apply to everyone.
    What an F#$king idiot.

  • dk504

    No John, you can’t. Put your bourbon down, sober up and figure it out. Worker bee no clocked in, worker bee not working. This man is so demented from booze and plain stupidity he just can’t understand ALL rules apply to everyone.
    What an F#$king idiot.

  • LeftCoastLeftie

    Their seats should be vacated and filled by special elections, paid for by their re-election war chests. In other words, they should be treated just like they would be if the letter (D) appeared after their names. Fair is fair, right Repukes?

  • LeftCoastLeftie

    Yeah, right. They have brains like Cheney has a heart or Cantor has courage.

  • LeftCoastLeftie

    Thanks for the backup – i heard similar on MSNBC last night. There is also some discussion about whether the ‘event’ they attended was a fundraiser, which is illegal where it was held. Of course they denied it, especially because the announcement called it a “Fundraiser” for Mr. Fitzpatrick. Legal opinion offered by Condie “OBL planning to attack the US” Rice, concert pianist and pathological liar.

  • LeftCoastLeftie

    Perhaps Darrell the car thief Issa will have the time to investigate, now that he’s backed off investigating Adm Sestak and the failed hard drive administration of President Obama. Equal is equal, Mr. Issa. Unless you have another 150 letters to send to your financial backers asking which laws they’d like you to repeal … for a price of course. Didn’t they get the price list from you as an attachment? You miserable fuck.

  • Anonymous

    Well heck, at least they were trying to actually READ the constitution. If true, this is a significant baby step forward for the GOP.

  • Anonymous

    Exactly. Safer for corporate para-states and ever more treacherous for the rest of us.

  • Anonymous

    Yeah, sad to say, but from here it looks as though the corporate dems have spent basically the entire Obama administration trying like hell to be Republicans.

  • Taleisin

    I don’t understand some of that as I am from down under. But yeah, that’s the gist of it.

    You have the most complicated electrol system and the most expensive. If anyone wants to get elected, they need millions. The system needs changing. The basic ideals are there but the system was designed for rorting from the beginning and they have got better at it.

    If the US doesn’t make changes soon, it will become antiquated like Spanish were at the time of the Cuban fight for independence.

  • Taleisin

    I don’t understand some of that as I am from down under. But yeah, that’s the gist of it.

    You have the most complicated electrol system and the most expensive. If anyone wants to get elected, they need millions. The system needs changing. The basic ideals are there but the system was designed for rorting from the beginning and they have got better at it.

    If the US doesn’t make changes soon, it will become antiquated like Spanish were at the time of the Cuban fight for independence.

  • Anonymous

    Allow their votges to COUNT?????? IMPEACH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • Anonymous

    Allow their votges to COUNT?????? IMPEACH THEM!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/CTGKYFNDGU6KJEHQNNPXA64ZZI Pj

    Sorry, Fool. Being unsworn and therefore unauthorized, they both voted as a “member of the Whole,” and they participated in and voted during committee hearings…. Sessions even chaired a hearing, which is now irrevocably tainted and as such is forever open to legal challenge, including any and all legislative determinations or conclusions which are connected to, or issue from, that hearing. From a strictly legal point of view, it is a very messy deal.

    To return a phrase which I’ll bet you’ve often used:

    WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?

    It has not “corrected” yet, and so it could not have been “corrected immediately.”

    The Constitution was certainly — beyond doubt and inarguably — violated.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/CTGKYFNDGU6KJEHQNNPXA64ZZI Pj

    Sorry, Fool. Being unsworn and therefore unauthorized, they both voted as a “member of the Whole,” and they participated in and voted during committee hearings…. Sessions even chaired a hearing, which is now irrevocably tainted and as such is forever open to legal challenge, including any and all legislative determinations or conclusions which are connected to, or issue from, that hearing. From a strictly legal point of view, it is a very messy deal.

    To return a phrase which I’ll bet you’ve often used:

    WHAT PART OF ILLEGAL DON’T YOU UNDERSTAND?

    It has not “corrected” yet, and so it could not have been “corrected immediately.”

    The Constitution was certainly — beyond doubt and inarguably — violated.

  • samhoustonTX

    “Rep. Boehner is seeking to convince Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to agree to a unanimous consent decree that would allow the unofficial votes cast by Sessions and Fitzpatrick to count retroactively.” After 2 years getting nothing from Boeher, should Pelosi give him some help on this? NO.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CC22SEBL7IH6K34TOQU5WQI3DM Jean

    They never say the words anymore, even Obama
    ‘messed up” his swearing in, look at it yourself! He was careful to change the wording jyust enough to make it not so???
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hde4s-xBhqE&feature=related

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_CC22SEBL7IH6K34TOQU5WQI3DM Jean

    They never swear in corrdctly anymore and mess up procedure because it is all a joke! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hde4s-xBhqE&feature=related

  • Anonymous

    Even if you take the scum out of the bag, it’s still leaves a dirty scumbag!

  • Anonymous

    Even if you take the scum out of the bag, it’s still leaves a dirty scumbag!

  • Anonymous

    Never give up until your heart stops beating! Here’s a Soldiers song instead! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPt8LnkQ3g&feature=related

  • Anonymous

    Never give up until your heart stops beating! Here’s a Soldiers song instead! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vPt8LnkQ3g&feature=related

  • Anonymous

    Southerners have a different take on the Constitution than Yankees. In 1861 Robert E. Lee left the Union Army and joined the Virginia State forces. Was this Treason or do the States have rights that trump the Union of soverign States. Vote your opinion. http://americancivilwar.com/authors/Joseph_Ryan/150-Year-Anniversary/April-1861/What-Happened-in-April-1861.html#LeeDecision

  • Anonymous

    Will we hear this song at the Superbowl in Texas instead of the Star Bungled Banner?

    We are a band of brothers and native to the soil,
    Fighting for the property we gained by honest toil;
    (alternat lyrics: Fighting for our Liberty with treasure, blood and toil:)
    And when our rights were threatened, the cry rose near and far,
    “Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star!”

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    As long as the Union was faithful to her trust,
    Like friends and like brothers both kind were we and just;
    But now, when Northern treachery attempts our rights to mar,
    We hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    First gallant South Carolina nobly made the stand,
    Then came Alabama, who took her by the hand;
    Next quickly Mississippi, Georgia and Florida,
    All raised on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Ye men of valor, gather round the banner of the right,
    Texas and fair Louisiana join us in the fight;
    Davis, our loved president, and Stephens statesman are,
    Now rally round the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    And here’s to old Virginia, the Old Dominion State,
    Who with the young Confederacy at length has linked her fate;
    Impelled by her example, now other states prepare,
    To hoist on high the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Then cheer, boys, cheer, raise the joyous shout,
    For Arkansas and North Carolina now have both gone out;
    And let another rousing cheer for Tennessee be given,
    The single star of the Bonnie Blue Flag has grown to be eleven.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Then here’s to our Confederacy, strong are we and brave,
    Like patriots of old we’ll fight our heritage to save;
    And rather than submit to shame, to die we would prefer,
    So cheer for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    Hurrah! Hurrah! For Southern rights hurrah!
    Hurrah for the Bonnie Blue Flag that bears a single star.

    http://americancivilwar.com/Civil_War_Music/song_lyrics/bonnie_blue_confederate_song.html

  • Anonymous

    I don’t understand why we have not seen the resubmission of the “Declaration of the Immediate Causes Which Induce and Justify the Secession of South Carolina from the Federal Union”. The document was written by real statesmen and if the Tea Party could comprehend what it says they would be signing up to have it sent to the Federal Government. They do not understand it and the real leaders of the extreme right are not really looking to break away, they are only looking for diversion from our Military activities. http://americancivilwar.com/documents/causes_south_carolina.html

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/D3I7MK4Y4S76TWXD4F2NV2B6L4 Brian

    That vote was already taken, Lee lost big time.

  • http://profiles.yahoo.com/u/D3I7MK4Y4S76TWXD4F2NV2B6L4 Brian

    I predict that the Democrat leadership will allow the un-Constitutional votes of the Republicans to stand, the Republican will continue to accuse the Liberals of violating the Constitution, and the Democrats will then blame Nader for all election setbacks.

  • Anonymous

    The result of the conflict was only a military result. The question that is pertinent is whether it was Treason or a protected action per the Constitution taken by Lee. There is a States Rights issue that is presented in depth by the author and a very compelling position can be made that he was in his rights to join Virginia’s new government. See what you think.

  • Anonymous

    The result of the conflict was only a military result. The question that is pertinent is whether it was Treason or a protected action per the Constitution taken by Lee. There is a States Rights issue that is presented in depth by the author and a very compelling position can be made that he was in his rights to join Virginia’s new government. See what you think.

  • Johnny Warbucks

    I wish I could understand what it is that he is saying. I’m sure it’s good. Guess it’s time for either a hearing aid or a universal translator.

    And you do know that music was a CIA plot to keep the hippies appeased, don’t ya? :)

  • http://usaads.biz/columbus/community/politics/republicans-screw-up-again-2/ Republicans screw up again | Columbus Classifieds
  • Anonymous
  • Anonymous
  • http://www.darkpolitricks.com/2011/01/republicans-banish-%e2%80%98civil-rights%e2%80%99-and-%e2%80%98civil-liberties%e2%80%99-from-house-subcommittee/ Republicans banish ‘civil rights’ and ‘civil liberties’ from House subcommittee | Dark Politricks

    [...] Pete Sessions (R-TX) and Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick (R-PA) cast votes as members of the 112th Congress before being officially sworn-in, a violation of the United States [...]