I've read through the diary on the Recommended List with respect to the censure resolution regarding Rep. Pete Stark's comments.
A lot of people are outraged as to why this even got to the House floor. The short answer, though, is that it didn't. At least not procedurely.
And before we get all indignant, perhaps we should examine that.
According to the House website of proceedings for today, here's the chronology of what happened:
10:28 a.m.: The Censure resolution is introduced as a "privileged matter," which, within the pervue of the House rules, allows a member to introduce it without any formal procedure of going through the Rules Committee and such.
10:30 a.m.: Two minutes after it is introduced, Democratic floor manager for the day Rep. Bennie Thompson moves to table the resolution.
11:01 a.m.: A roll call vote is held. And the resolution is tabled from consideration by a vote of 196-173.
11:02 a.m.:Rep. Stark asks for a point of personal privilege to address the House chamber, and issues his apology.
So, for those of you asking, "How could this even get to the House floor?"
Answer: It didn't.
Those "spineless Dems" folks are railing against voted in nearly lock step to make sure that it didn't see the light of day.
There was no debate on the House floor today with respect to censuring Pete Stark. None.
Put another way, the tabling manuever stated without reservation that the majority of members of the House of Representatives didn't think this was worth discussing...even for a minute.
I don't question Rep. Stark's apology. It was his to make, if he wanted to make it. Do I think he should apologize for anything? No. But it's not my call to make...it's his.
But before everyone goes apeshit about this vote, it's best to know how it actually went down.
Reading up on how it went down reminded me of my days on the Hill, and helped refresh my memory of parliamentary procedure.
And a reminder that things are not always what they seem.