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Democrats move ahead with Joe Wilson punishment
By: Susan Ferrechio
Chief Congressional Correspondent
09/15/09 6:10 AM EDT
Democrats on Tuesday will introduce a resolution of disapproval against Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., who last week shouted "You lie" to President Barack Obama during his health care speech to Congress.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., initially told reporters she wanted to let the matter rest, but other Democrats in her caucus were intent on going after Wilson and after Monday night's closed-door meeting among Democratic leaders, she agreed to allow the resolution to go forward, despite the fact that it will no doubt sidetrack the House in a major way Tuesday.
House rules prohibit members from making disparaging remarks against anyone while in the chamber but there isn't much in the way of punishment for offenders. Under most circumstances, the person who makes the remark could be prohibited from speaking from the floor for the remainder of the day, but that probably won't happen in this case.
The effort to go after Wilson for the remark comes after Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., demanded Wilson apologize from the House floor. Wilson refused, pointing out that he apologized to the president and in a public statement. Wilson even refused a request for a floor apology from House Minority Leader John Boehner, R-Ohio.
"In the absence of an apology, the House must act to admonish his behavior," a Democratic leadership aide said. "These are the standards members are held to when they take the oath of office."
Clyburn will introduce the resolution and it will likely attract the support of Democrats and Republicans alike, although Boehner has pledged to vote against it.
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