Have they no shame? Using mother's all across America as a political tactic is pretty sad. Intially this resolution had passed unanimously, but maybe Rep. Tiahart just doesn't like his mom. Dana Milbank says poor Boehner has been under a lot of stress lately. Yes he has, but to actually vote down Mother's day?
Download It has long been the custom to compare a popular piece of legislation to motherhood and apple pie. Evidently, that is no longer the standard. Worse, Republicans are now confronted with a John Kerry-esque predicament: They actually voted for motherhood before they voted against it.
Republicans, unhappy with the Democratic majority, have been using such procedural tactics as this all week to bring the House to a standstill, but the assault on mothers may have gone too far. House Minority Leader John Boehner, asked yesterday to explain why he and 177 of his colleagues switched their votes, answered: "Oh, we just wanted to make sure that everyone was on record in support of Mother's Day."By voting against it?
If Boehner's explanation doesn't make much sense, he's been under a great deal of stress lately...read on
As TP notes:
Rep. Jeff Fortenberry (R-NE), the original sponsor of the bill, also ended up voting against it.
(transcript below the fold)
Speaker Pro Tempore: For what purpose does the gentleman from Kansas rise?
Rep. Tiahrt: Mr. Speaker, I'm sure that each and every Member here in the House would like to have their voice heard when it comes to supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day.
Speaker Pro Tempore: The gentleman will suspend. The gentleman is not recognized for debate. Does the gentleman have a motion?
Rep. Tiahrt: I ask for a recorded vote because I'm sure every Member wants their mother to know that they have -- supporting the goals of Mother's Day.
Speaker Pro Tempore: A recorded vote is requested. Those favoring a recorded vote will rise. A sufficient number having arisen, a recorded vote is ordered. Members will record their votes by electronic device. It will be a five minute vote.
C Span narrator: A five minute vote here on a bill debated earlier this week celebrating the role of mothers in the US and supporting the goals and ideals of Mother's Day, which if you haven't been reminded enough is this Sunday.
