14th Amendment - 126 Republican House members not allowed to sit? (1 Viewer)

[John Maddens Lunchbox]

In a sign that Democrats have had enough of the “legal” attempts by Republicans to overturn the election, Rep Bill Pascrell of New Jersey wants to see if it is “legal” to bar 126 Republicans from the House of Representatives under the 14th amendment.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/11/us/politics/as-two-thirds-of-house-republicans-support-the-texas-election-suit-a-democrat-called-them-traitors.html

With nearly two-thirds of House Republicans supporting Texas’s lawsuit seeking to overturn the election in the U.S. Supreme Court, a Democratic House member on Friday called the Republicans “traitors” and urged the House’s Democratic leadership not to seat the Republicans when the 117th Congress convenes in January. 

The congressman, Bill Pascrell Jr. of New Jersey, cited a Reconstruction-era passage of the 14th Amendment disqualifying elected officials who “have engaged in insurrection or rebellion” against the United States.

“The actions of any of our colleagues to demolish democracy, regardless of party affiliation, must be repudiated in the strongest possible terms,” Mr. Pascrell said in his letter. “The fate of our democracy depends on us.”

Section 3 of the 14th Amendment, known as the disqualification clause, was originally enacted to limit the influence of former Confederates in the Reconstruction era. It has been used occasionally since. Victor L. Berger, a member of the Socialist Party of America, was repeatedly prevented from taking his seatby a House resolution after winning election in 1919 because he had been convicted under the Espionage Act.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi wrote in a letter to Democrats on Friday that Republicans were “subverting the Constitution by their reckless and fruitless assault on our democracy.”

Somehow I don’t think this is the best way to achieve Healing and moving forward. This isn’t overly helpful, but how many cheeks can the Democrats turn before they say enough is enough? 

Are they just exercising their legal options or is this a poor decision moving forward?

Normality, where are you?

 

[Sea Duck]

Dumb. We really need to stop watering down the definitions of words that have specific meanings (e.g., "insurrection," "rebellion" and "treason"). Not only does it fuel the "boef sides!" game, but it will make it that much harder to tamp down actual rebellion in the future.

 

[Mile High]

I'm a actions have consequences person. Tonight Trump is attacking the SC and the courts. If things get out of hand I have no problem holding him accountable for his part.

 

[supermike80]

Boy I wish bof sidez would quit with the waste of time posturing and get on with their jobs.  This is old

 

[JAA]

Normally I would say no to the ### for tat. I mean, if all the GOP, after the TX SCOTUS was dismissed, would then have said “ok, we concede”, then I think this is a bad move by the Ds.  But it’s still not over. TX GOP is now talking about succession. When is enough enough?

Based on this continued bahvior I think it’s necessary. The reality is that Ds got in line for president Trump. Yes, a whole lot of whining and kicking along the way, but they did it. Now it’s time for the R’s to do the same. 

 

[IvanKaramazov]

I don't support this, but the people who signed onto this lawsuit ought to face professional consequences.  It should really come from voters though.  It would be great if these folks got recalled or something.  (I know that won't happen of course).

 

[Maurile Tremblay]

This is definitely something the Republicans would do.

God help us if the Democrats sink to that level as well.

At least it would make Putin happy, I guess.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

I don't support this, but the people who signed onto this lawsuit ought to face professional consequences.  It should really come from voters though.  It would be great if these folks got recalled or something.  (I know that won't happen of course).

Disbarment for the lawyers in that group would be much better from a 'let's not actually start a civil war' perspective.

 

[TheMagus]

I don't know what the correct answer is here but I feel like giving them more fodder to claim they are being victimized by the left is not it. 

 

[Moonlight]

These 126 Representatives will live in infamy for their cowardice and kowtowing to Trump.  An example of putting being re-elected above the interests and well being of the country.

Also "Dont Mess with Texas" doesn't mean what I thought it did.

 

[The Commish]

Just plain dumb...why give this crap oxygen.  Let them throw their temper tantrums.  Shut the door and let them go until they're done.  It's not like their enabling electorate is going to punish them.  To that point, any of the "conservative" types here saying this is dumb (we agree on that) have representatives in this group?  If so, are you planning on voting them out?  Just curious.  Seems like "this is dumb, but I'm gonna vote for them anyway" has gotten to be a popular position these days.  And yes, I'd be asking the same if the Democrats were doing this crap.

 

[Amused to Death]

Meanwhile, Trump  and My Pillow Guy openly calling for civil war, and Trump invited Proud Boys to White House.

Maybe we'll find out what "stand down and stand by" meant.

 

[Amused to Death]

I think we may. And if we do, I think Trump should be charged with capital murder, or at the very least insurrection. We all have normalcy biases that prevent us from recognizing the importance of events as we live them. This is broaching into unprecedented danger for modern times in America. And if and when shots do ring out in the name of “stopping the steal,” it was based on feeling and lies, not facts and law. And there must be consequences to all who enabled, and in Trump’s case directed these events.

If you’re a decent American, I don’t care where you stand politically, you should be speaking out now and in clear terms about this or you’re complicit. GOP leadership should be speaking out before violence resulting from this theater. Even if you think it would be just fine to install Trump into a second term. 

This truly has been, and continues to be, a coup. And I fear it's about to turn violent. Don't forget, Trump installed his puppets in the Pentagon. This could become an even darker period in our history.

 

[That one guy]

It’s cool, we don’t have much else going on in this country, not many pressing issues aside from government shutdown, raging pandemic and the negative economic impacts from it; ya know, normal stuff that everyone can easily navigate through.  That sort of “business” can certainly wait until after the holidays; it’ll still be there in January, amiright?!  Lol.  What’s more important is that we not act like adults after taking the highest seat in repudiation of not acting like an adult.  We should definitely play political games, stoop to the level of a tantrum throwing child, really demonstrate to the struggling Americans out there that we're here for them, fighting for what’s truly important.

Before I go too far in damning a majority of the Democrat party, are there any reports of other democrats signing on to not Bill Parcell’s request?

By the way, the Supreme Court did its job and rejected the Texas lawsuit outright as not “judicially cognizable”.  The hyperbolic railing of our democracy at stake continues to ignore the live demonstration of our democracy in full view:  the 3rd branch of government is doing what it is supposed to do.  The other 2, speculative at best 

 

[jm192]

I think the GOP looks like a bunch of idiots since the election.  But using that to say "let's block 126 duly elected officials" also feels like subverting the constitution.  

 

[Thunderlips]

They should be seated; but I think Pelosi would be smart to put them on official record with some sort of vote or something; to make it historical fact.  The "126" can then either back own and show those people who REALLY are for seccession that at least these leaders in Washington have feet of clay OR they can go on record as being politicians who "want to take their ball and run home" when the play isn't called their way.  That's a good enough calling of their bluff while letting some of the air out of their shirts.  

 

[the moops]

These 126 Representatives will live in infamy for their cowardice and kowtowing to Trump.

They will be but a footnote. With all the #### that has gone on in the past 4 years, this stunt really isn't going to move the needle