General Discussion

branford

(4,462 posts)

79. It is also my understanding from my short time on Capital Hill and law school many moons ago,

Wed Nov 19, 2014, 03:27 AM

Nov 2014

that a legislator must actually be present in the relevant chamber to vote on legislation. It's easy to understand the reasons for such an uncompromising rule.

However, the rules and procedures for internal caucus votes and other "non-official" matters like the one at issue, are set entirely by the members, and there is nothing legally that would have prevented an accommodation for Rep. Duckworth.

Since there is no dispute that Rep. Duckworth cannot travel due to pregnancy related complications on her doctor's instructions, besides the fact that she is a disabled veteran, I see no reason other than malice or crass politics for her not to be allowed a proxy vote.

If I were a Republican, I would be discussing Minority Leader Pelosi's and all the Democrat's "War on Women" before every television camera I could find.

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Dem anger flares over pregnant lawmaker [View all] philosslayer Nov 2014 OP

Pelosi and Hoyer need to be replaced, but I understand why they need to do this. Renew Deal Nov 2014 #1

it's a freaking caucus vote, not even a vote on legislation CreekDog Nov 2014 #84

This is crazy. bravenak Nov 2014 #2

Maybe if she gave birth on the House floor Aerows Nov 2014 #32

Catch 22. That would require traveling to the House. merrily Nov 2014 #68

While I personally believe she should have been permitted a proxy vote SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #3

True which makes me wonder Ravenna44 Nov 2014 #11

it is my impression that it is her injuries that make it necessary for her to stay home. mopinko Nov 2014 #19

I'm presuming she's high risk because of her age rather than her injuries. SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #21

I think both of her legs are gone below her knees AngryAmish Nov 2014 #45

One leg at the hip, one below the knee SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #46

Her injuries likely make her pregnancy higher risk. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #56

Yes Sgent Nov 2014 #81

I don't believe Congress is bound by the ADA SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #95

Hey,Ms.Pelosi, Wellstone ruled Nov 2014 #4

In the story, it says they voted her and her yeoman6987 Nov 2014 #5

she's already back in belzabubba333 Nov 2014 #10

How could anyone argue that this makes sense? NaturalHigh Nov 2014 #6

I'm unfamiliar Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #8

Pelosi does not want Duckworth to vote. It's political. ARMYofONE Nov 2014 #17

Most things are. Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #18

She's disenfranching a disabled Dem combat veteran obeying doctor's orders so she (Pelosi) can win. merrily Nov 2014 #74

Sam sad as it is, Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #91

Nope and repeating yourself doesn't make it so, either. merrily Nov 2014 #93

What are you talking about? Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #99

I could also say the same to your response Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #100

Your bumper-stickers are neither edifying nor eye-opening. LanternWaste Nov 2014 #102

Please go on... Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #104

Yeah it is. Jamastiene Nov 2014 #94

Is that Pelosi's fault? demwing Nov 2014 #98

It wasn't about the minority leadership position. It's about a Committee appointment. ARMYofONE Nov 2014 #106

This message was self-deleted by its author Recursion Nov 2014 #25

It's not necessarily about her. Renew Deal Nov 2014 #37

You do realize if she was given special consideration, it would be sexist, right? justiceischeap Nov 2014 #7

You're kidding, right? It's a MEDICAL reason. WinkyDink Nov 2014 #12

Nobody gets an out for any Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #15

This isn't legislation. Scootaloo Nov 2014 #39

Hence my reply above. Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #40

Actually, you vetoed legislation. So, when would you allow a pregnant woman acting on merrily Nov 2014 #73

Where do you draw the line for any medical condition? Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #90

I am not at all sure there are zero proxy votes. I don't think you are, either. merrily Nov 2014 #92

I know I work on the Hill and have never heard of Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #103

IIRC, Kennedy did on occasion. Granted, that was the Senate. merrily Nov 2014 #70

Prohibition against proxy voting justiceischeap Nov 2014 #97

NO! Doctor's orders, ffs. It's sexist to make an exception for certain medical merrily Nov 2014 #71

Too bad there is nothing in existance whistler162 Nov 2014 #9

Same thing I was thinking Yupster Nov 2014 #13

Someday....sigh. whistler162 Nov 2014 #23

One would hope that 2naSalit Nov 2014 #14

I would settle for the later half whistler162 Nov 2014 #24

Indeed. 2naSalit Nov 2014 #26

oh sure hfojvt Nov 2014 #61

How many times to date has an exception been made for a man for one medical reason or another? WillowTree Nov 2014 #16

None. There's no proxy votes. Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #20

Bullshit Aerows Nov 2014 #30

Do you have a citation for that? SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #31

Nice profanity. Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #36

It is also my understanding from my short time on Capital Hill and law school many moons ago, branford Nov 2014 #79

Oof. Don't give them any ideas Action_Patrol Nov 2014 #89

Has there ever been a proxy vote? Raine1967 Nov 2014 #22

Giving birth isn't a valid damn reason Aerows Nov 2014 #29

She's not giving birth SickOfTheOnePct Nov 2014 #33

I love me some Tammy, too, but I've never seen it happen. MADem Nov 2014 #66

For Dem caucus votes there have been no exceptions made, for any reason, for 4 decades. nt pinboy3niner Nov 2014 #72

So what? Change should come when circumstances warrant. branford Nov 2014 #80

Story says, his vote would not have mattered merrily Nov 2014 #88

In the Senate, yes. The House has different rules. progressoid Nov 2014 #105

Now that is a pile of shit. Aerows Nov 2014 #27

Archaic GeorgeGist Nov 2014 #28

I really don't see why the big prohibition on proxy voting bluestateguy Nov 2014 #34

Let's put the shoe Ink Man Nov 2014 #35

Ain't a vote a vote regardless of where you are? I don't get it. Owl Nov 2014 #38

Let Tammy vote! Dont call me Shirley Nov 2014 #41

I wonder yellowwoodII Nov 2014 #42

You might want to talk to the Armenians about that "something" that was a long time ago. MADem Nov 2014 #48

WTF ? JI7 Nov 2014 #51

Today in LM Explains California Politics: The Armenian Genocide is a Big Damn Deal. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #57

That was pretty righteous. I contemplated taking the poster to school, but you did a much MADem Nov 2014 #62

I Democratic party is the party of progress perhaps... Kalidurga Nov 2014 #43

Nancy is losing it. RandySF Nov 2014 #44

"Losing it?" "Snapping at the press?" MADem Nov 2014 #50

Is Nancy being sexist by denying her vote? RandySF Nov 2014 #76

What does your subject line even MEAN? MADem Nov 2014 #78

I say put Tammy at the fancy new Bethesda medical center, in a beautiful new suite MADem Nov 2014 #47

+1000 n/t librechik Nov 2014 #49

Tiny flaw in that plan Man from Pickens Nov 2014 #52

Well... pinboy3niner Nov 2014 #53

GAAAH--stupid me, of course she is! I will correct! MADem Nov 2014 #63

Excellent plan--except she probably wants to stick with her OB pinboy3niner Nov 2014 #54

I was operated on there, too--twice! No -- three times! MADem Nov 2014 #65

Three times here, too pinboy3niner Nov 2014 #82

Good for them--and better for you! MADem Nov 2014 #110

Her doctor says she can't travel. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #59

Maybe he'd let her go in a bus outfitted as an ambulance. Maybe he could "go with" MADem Nov 2014 #60

If she's high risk she's not going anywhere, let alone on a two day ambulance ride. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #69

I'm not talking about a crappy ambulance. I'm talking about the AF1 of ambulances! MADem Nov 2014 #77

I'll second all that! lonestarnot Nov 2014 #64

Don't agree with Nancy.. it's glaringly evident that Tammy Duckworth is incapable of flying back Cha Nov 2014 #55

Sorry Cha. If she isn't present on the floor, she cannot vote. longship Nov 2014 #83

Well.. I guess it's a no brainer then.. stay home and keep your Cha Nov 2014 #86

Victories are sweet. longship Nov 2014 #87

Give that woman a damn proxy due to totality of circumstance. Who else is or has been, ever, lonestarnot Nov 2014 #58

IIRC, Kennedy was allowed to vote "from afar" when his health prevented travel. merrily Nov 2014 #67

Sexism sucks, no matter where it's found. merrily Nov 2014 #75

My God, when their sense of fairness is afraid to let a disabled war veteran participate CreekDog Nov 2014 #85

I figured it out: schedule a field hearing, go to her. LeftyMom Nov 2014 #107

great idea CreekDog Nov 2014 #109

I am sure there have been sick men, or men with family obligations who didn't get a waiver on point Nov 2014 #96

Very, very, very...... daleanime Nov 2014 #101

Jon Stewart dished out a pile of shit for Pelosi last nite and she deserved every bit of it. jillan Nov 2014 #108