While the government shutdown saw its fair share of drama, the House floor saw one last bit of action Wednesday night after a House stenographer lost it on the chamber’s floor, screaming about Freemasons and the Constitution, and leaving many members shaken up.
The employee, later identified as Dianne Reidy, took her place at the podium in front of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.), who was presiding over the House. But while members cast their votes on a bill to end the government shutdown and avoid a default, Reidy began ranting about the U.S. Constitution, Freemasons and God.
“He will not be mocked,” Reidy can be heard saying. “Don’t touch me.”
“This is not one nation under God. It never was. Had it been … it would not have been … the Constitution would not have been written by Freemasons,” she continued.
Several House staff members dragged Reidy off the floor, taking her to a nearby elevator, National Review reported. Several Congressmen followed, including Reps. Louis Gohmert (R-Texas) and Al Green (D-Texas).
Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) told The Washington Post the stenographer was well-known and liked among the House. But the event left some members shaken up.
“You have a lot of members who are concerned about who is allowed on the floor when something like that happens,” Rep. Joaquin Castro (D-Texas) told Fox News.
Capitol Police questioned Reid after the incident and she was taken to a nearby hospital for a mental evaluation.
Check out a video of the incident and audio below, courtesy of The Takeaway’s Todd Zwillich.
