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House Democrats Achieve Something Never Done Before: Ignore and Abandon U.S. Constitution

Senate Majority Leader McConnell points out how House Democrats aren't working while millions of Americans are:

"Since the early days of this crisis, the self-described "People's House" has been suspiciously empty of... people. I understand they've convened for legislative session a grand total of two days in the past eight weeks.

"At this point, I'm wondering if we should send Senators over there to collect their newspaper and water the plants."

"Yesterday, the Speaker announced this arrangement will continue another 45 days at least. But there's a new wrinkle: House Democrats jammed through a precedent-breaking remote voting scheme that will let one member cast 10 additional votes."

"One person, 11 votes? Remember, these are the people who want to remake every state's election laws."

"There are several problems with this. One of them happens to be Article I, Section 5 of the U.S. Constitution. "A majority of each [house] shall constitute a quorum to do business." "For about 231 years, Congresses have managed to fulfill this job requirement. "They've worked through a Civil War, two World Wars, terrorist threats, and a prior pandemic without trying to shirk this duty. The 12th Congress endured the War of 1812, including the occupation of Washington and the burning of this Capitol building, without abandoning in-person meetings. "The Constitution requires a physical quorum to do business. Normally both chambers may presume one. But any House member has a right to demand an in-person attendance check. The Democrats' new rule says one person may mark himself and ten others present, even if they are nowhere in sight. A flat-out lie. "There will be enormous constitutional questions around anything the House does if they fail to demonstrate a real quorum but plow ahead anyhow."

"Two normal workdays in eight weeks. One absurd, unserious proposal. And now they are playing games with the Constitution so they can continue their never-ending Spring Break into July."

Posted May 21, 2020
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