The new House of Representatives convened on January 6 for swearing in of members and other routine business, including a vote on the House Rules, proposed by Speaker Pelosi, et. al. This legislation passed; only Democrats voted for it. All Republicans and six very courageous Democrats voted against it. John Fund (WSJ) says the new Pelosi rules are intended to limit the ability of Republicans/Conservatives to impact legislation. Worth noting are:
- Limits on the use of "motion to recommit," used by Republicans in the past Congress to thwart some of the most egregious legislation put forth by Democrats.
- Elimination of term limits for Committee Chairmen. This means that old bulls like Barney Frank, Henry Waxman, David Obey and Charlie Rangel can rule as long as they can breathe. The Blue Dog Democrats (conservatives) have no chance of gaining leadership roles in this Congress.
- Requirement to provide an alternative source of revenue (read taxes) for any tax increase they want to eliminate. This makes tax increases easier to pass, but tax cuts will be more difficult because they cannot be offset with spending cuts; instead, tax cuts must be replaced by tax increases elsewhere. Whoa!!! What did I just say?!! Read that again: Tax cuts must be replaced - not by spending cuts, but - by tax increases somewhere else! (Income redistribution, spreading the wealth around, whatever . . .)
The bottom line is that Pelosi wants to minimize the impact of Republicans/Conservatives on the legislation she wants to pass. Despite all the campaign promises to reduce partisanship and offer "Change We Can Believe In", Pelosi and crew are planning to rule with an iron fist.As we might have guessed, new 5th District Congressman Tom Perriello voted FOR these rule changes (the legislation was bill number H.R. 4). That isn't exactly in keeping with his promise to rise above the partisanship in Washington, is it? Hopefully next time.
Thanks to Jim Miller for the information for this posting.
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