The Speakers Lobby
  • House Democrats threaten to discipline Wilson unless he apologizes again

      

    Apparently two apologies from Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) aren't enough.

     

     

    Key Democratic lawmakers threatened on Thursday to discipline Wilson unless he told the full House he was sorry during a floor speech after he jeered at President Obama during a Joint Session of Congress Wednesday night.

     

    "You lie!" shouted Wilson, jabbing his finger at the president from the rear of the chamber after Mr. Obama declared his health care plan wouldn't cover illegal immigrants.

     

    The outburst shocked Democrats and Republicans alike. The catcall earned Wilson a steely glare from the president. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) stared in Wilson's direction, her jaw agape.

     

    Wilson later apologized in a statement and phoned White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel to apologize.

     

    That seemed to satisfy Pelosi On Wednesday night, the speaker said she didn't think any discipline was necessary. She reiterated that statement Thursday morning, describing Wilson's gibe as "stunning" during such a formal event. At her weekly briefing, the speaker signaled she was prepared to move on.

     

    "It's time to talk about health care," Pelosi said.

     

    But Pelosi might not be in synch with her top two lieutenants: House Majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Majority Whip Jim Clyburn (D-SC). Senior House sources tell FOX that Democrats requested that Wilson apologize on the floor. One source says Democrats suggested they could"censure" or discipline Wilson if he refused. 

    Democratic leaders then held open a vote on Thursday as Clyburn implored his Palmetto State colleague to say he was sorry. Sources familiar with the request say Wilson delcined three times. During the extended vote, Hoyer conferred with House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH).

     

    When Wilson declined to apologize, a source said Republicans told Hoyer to close the vote and "do what he had to do."

     

    Meantime, House leaders debated future steps against Wilson at a routine, weekly closed-door strategy session in Pelosi's office.

     

    "I want Mr. Wilson to come to the floor of the House and apologize," said Hoyer. He indicated that House leaders didn't reach a conclusion on sanctioning Wilson.

     

    "We need to figure out what to do," said one senior member of the leadership team. Another high-level House source signaled that lawmakers didn't want to let Wilson's transgression go unpunished "because of the magnitude" of the accusation, directed at the President of the United States during a Joint Session of Congress.

     

    House rules expressly prohibit lawmakers from calling the president a "liar" or declaring that he is "lying."

     

    "We need to maintain decorum in the House to operate," said another senior source.

     

    For her part, Pelosi said she considered taking measures against Wilson during his interruption of President Obama "if he had continued." She said the House parliamentarian quickly handed her a document, outlining her options as Speaker to punish Wilson on the spot.

     

    Pelosi could be seen reading the paper as Mr. Obama continued his speech.

     

    "Censure" is like a reprimand, and one of four common forms of discipline in the House. The full House must vote for or against a censure resolution. If the House votes to discipline a lawmaker, he or she then stands in the well of the House chamber and receives a verbal rebuke from the House Speaker.

Mectoceanny

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January 25, 2010 at 1:40 pm

gcguiness

HOW ALL YOU BRAINLESS PEOPLE IN CONGRESS GOT INTO OFFICE, I'LL NEVER KNOW! YOU SHOULD BE PREPAIRED TO LEAVE IN 2010 BECAUSE THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HAVE AWAKENED. HOW YOU CAN SIT THERE AND ACT OUTRAGED OVER WILSONS COMMENTS, WHEN YOU DID EVERYTHING IN YOUR POWER TO BOO THE LAST PRESIDENT DURING HIS SPEECHES, DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP CALLING HIM A LIAR, SAYING THAT HE WAS STUPID, YOUR FAKE OUTRAGE IS FUNNY AT BEST. YOUR DAYS OF RAPEING THE AMERICANS BANK ACCOUNTS IS JUST ABOUT TO END AS WELL AS YOUR JOBS. GO STICK YOUR FAKE OUTRAGE UP YOUR %SSES!

September 16, 2009 at 4:39 pm

Donald

The problem exist because it impossible for individuals to listen rather than just talk. Democrats have the advantage at the present time but this will not last forever. I hope and pray republicans never act they these guys are acting now. They have jammed a Stimulus package down our throats, This package has pushed the deficit to record numbers. The Dems blame Bushes spending for the problems we are having with the economy. I have to admit they are correct. Over spending presents a world of problems but how can these same folks turn around and repeat the same mistakes. You can not stimulate the economy by going deeper into debt. It only makes it worst. If Bush's spending brought on the bad economic times how can spending more money and going deeper into debt help? It denies sensibility. The economy will only get better when we reduse the National debt and stop spending. It's that simple. Increasing taxes only creates an increase in the people who are considered poor. Increasing taxes owill cause the cost of everything to go up. Taxing Big business does not place a greater burden on Business because they will just past it on to the middle class of America. I used to be a stong Democrat but not anymore. I am a conservative who votes mostly republican but I do vote locally for a few good Dems. Unfortunately they are becoming few and far between.

September 15, 2009 at 5:24 pm

ken moore

I believe Obama probably was telling the truth, but in a deceitful way. It wont need to cover illegal immagrants, because by then the dems will have made them citizens. How clever, lie without lying. Hello???? The Dems dont feel like their plans

September 15, 2009 at 1:48 am

NIki

Why should Joe Wilson be repromanded for speaking his mind. The democrats had no problem verbally insulting Bush. They called him stupid, a Nazi and there was no apology issued by either person. So buck up Obama and stop lying to us. And stop passing the buck when you screw up too (60 minutes interview) These were your ideas, Your healtcare, and your stimulas package. Admit it, your a failure. Or are you a puppet for Pelosi and the gang? Are you following their lead? Make amends man, do whats right for ALL of us americans. Have you a conscience? I love my country and do not want to see it run into the ground. Grow a back bone and do whats right.

September 15, 2009 at 1:29 am

Skipcat445

scubanoid Reply so, house rules expressly prohibit lawmakers from calling the President a liar or declaring that he is “lying” – even if he IS lying!!! This is crazy…so, if the president IS lying, no one can say a thing. If they DO, they are punished….hows that “change” working out for everyone now? You have to eat the lies and you better never say a word about it….LOVE that change… September 14, 2009 at 11:20 pm****************Well that can't be true, Nancy Pelosi herself called President Bush a liar as well as was crimminal and nothing happened.

September 15, 2009 at 12:56 am

a1955rosie

Yeah, the president wants his health care done but these knuckleheads are going to spend the day getting another apology that the president doesnt need. Hmmm someone doesn't have their house in order and they're running amuck. Best part is 2 fold. 1. Wilson is right in the fact that the president had his facts WRONG. 2. Wilson is getting the sympathy and respect for speaking truth. I'll agree he spoke inappropriately but I'd rather hear that then what the others were doing. They were positively drooling over the inaccuracy's.

September 15, 2009 at 12:21 am

JRV

arent you satisfied if Mr Wilson apologize to Mr Obamas wife and kids!??? stop this nonesense....He already did to the president and vice! do not divert the attention from this to the most important things to do ! Earn your salaries!

September 15, 2009 at 12:17 am

Chief ron snyder

I'm so glad that someone in Congress had the courage to stand up to President Obama. Most people know when they are being lied too. Joe Wilson spoke what millions of Americans are thinking but too afraid of being called a racist. It is not about race war, but about the character of a person. I am neither white nor black, but I am a proud American who love this country and had served in the Armed Forces.

September 14, 2009 at 11:50 pm

scubanoid

so, house rules expressly prohibit lawmakers from calling the President a liar or declaring that he is "lying" - even if he IS lying!!! This is crazy...so, if the president IS lying, no one can say a thing. If they DO, they are punished....hows that "change" working out for everyone now? You have to eat the lies and you better never say a word about it....LOVE that change...

September 14, 2009 at 11:20 pm

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