House Democrats Feud After 2 Defectors Hand Republicans 210-208 Procedural Vote
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
House Democrats Feud After 2 Defectors Hand Republicans 210-208 Procedural Vote
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 3
Summary
Two Democratic defections by Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez set off a broader caucus backlash, turning a routine House procedural vote into a public fight weeks before the midterms.
The pair sided with Republicans on a rule that passed 210-208 and cleared the way for votes on GOP bills, a move Democrats said blindsided leadership because neither lawmaker gave advance notice.
Hakeem Jeffries said he was caught off guard and pointed to Whip Katherine Clark's vote-counting operation, fueling fresh whispers about leadership and party discipline if Democrats win the House.
Robert Garcia and other senior Democrats called for punishment, escalating what had already become a formal leadership probe into whether the two remain members in good standing.
The clash has exposed tensions between the party's leadership and its most conservative members at a moment when Democrats are trying to project unity ahead of November's fight for control of Congress.