You've got to (half) hand it to John Boehner and the House Republicans. When they half-ass it, they really half-ass it.
On Sunday, I explained the Republicans' latest protest maneuver, the use of the motion to recommit as a weapon (sorta-kinda) in the FISA fight.
Today, though, the Republican weapon of choice is the motion to adjourn, which is just what it sounds like. Why the motion to adjourn? Because today's legislative business is being considered under suspension of the rules (definition), a procedure that doesn't allow for motions to recommit (but which requires a 2/3 majority to pass anything).
So instead, the protest move is this: Republicans take the floor and complain that the House ought to take up the FISA bill with all due speed. And so, of course, the only logical move is... to move that the House adjourn.
Yep.
And during the vote, C-SPAN flashes up on the screen that:
GOP leader Boehner says they will try to "shut the House down" until the Senate foreign intel. bill is taken up.
Four motions to adjourn today. Getting 20, 6, 5 and 4 votes each time.
And how seriously do the Democrats take this threat? Here's the Chair notifying Members of the most recent motion to adjourn:
This 15 minute vote on the motion to adjourn will be followed by five minute votes on motions to suspend the rules with respect to House Resolution 924 and House Resolution 945.
Does that sound like anyone thought the House was likely to adjourn?
It's been tried four times already today, and hasn't garnered more than 20 votes yet.
Heckuva job, Boehner!
UPDATE: Another move underway right now. A "privileged motion" offered by Rep. Tom Price (R-GA)to try to pass a resolution calling on the House to pass the Senate FISA bill right away. The argument: "failure" to pass the Senate bill brings "discredit" upon the House, and so affects the rights and privileges of Members.
It's a stupid stretch, and it's being tabled. Heckuva job, part II!
UPDATE: The motion to table the ruling of the chair finding the resolution not privileged passes, 218-192. Four Democrats voted nay. Next up, veto override on Intelligence authorization.