House Panel Finds Democrats Cheated On Vote To Prevent Illegal Immigrants From Getting Food Stamps And Other Welfare Benefits.

You may remember the fight from last summer when Republicans wanted to strip a bill of a provision that gave all sorts of welfare benefits to illegal immigrants.

Congressman Michael McNulty of NY admitted that he made ‘a mistake’ (I believe that’s the approved euphemism) and now a bipartisan House panel confirms what everyone already knew.

Democrats incorrectly closed a vote on the House floor in August 2007, which would have resulted in Republicans prevailing on an immigration issue, according to a special bipartisan House committee.

The committee found that "the vote tally of 212 yeas and 216 nays that was finally announced was incorrect. It is either 215 yeas and 213 nays, which would have reflected the tally at the time the chair prematurely announced the result, or 211 yeas and 217 nays."

The committee, led by Reps. Bill Delahunt (D-MA) and Mike Pence (R-IN), issued a final report on what Republicans alleged was a "stolen vote" and spent a half million dollars on an investigation.

During a rancorous House session late on the night of August 2, 2007, presiding officer Rep. Michael McNulty (D-NY) closed the vote and announced it was tied at 214-214. By rule, tie votes in the House lose. That was the result Democrats wanted on this particular vote. But the unofficial "scoreboard" in the chamber briefly flashed 215-213 in favor of the Republicans, meaning votes were still being cast electronically.

As Majority Leader Steny Hoyer shouted that night, "We control this House, not the parliamentarians". Apparently it’s true, even when the rules and the votes go against them.

Most ethical Congress EVAH. Thanks Nancy!

posted by DrewM. at 04:23 PM

| Access Comments