The five Republicans who defected on House rule condemning socialism
A small group of Republicans broke ranks on Tuesday to vote against a House rule that would allow a measure condemning socialism and the Democratic Socialists of America to reach the floor. Notable among them were Reps. Andy Harris,Clay Higgins,Ralph Norman,Chip roy,and Pete Sessions. While they opposed the procedural vote, they later supported the actual resolution condemning socialism. Their opposition was primarily a protest against how leadership managed legislation and the Senate’s failure to advance certain conservative priorities, such as the Save america Act and other GOP reconciliation efforts. Roy and Harris specifically aimed their protests at a short-term government funding bill, criticizing Senate modifications including delays on hemp restrictions and federal grant controls.Some of these Republicans are not seeking re-election, giving them more leeway to dissent. The rule ultimately passed with support from a few Democrats, including Jared Golden and Marie Gluesenkamp perez, who also voted against their party on this vote. Despite the internal GOP disagreement, legislation like a resolution condemning socialism proceeded, with some House Democrats publicly supporting such measures.
A handful of Republicans split from their party on Tuesday, voting against a rule to allow a measure condemning socialism and the platform of the Democratic Socialists of America to reach the House floor.
Among the Republicans to buck their party on the rule were Reps. Andy Harris (R-MD), Clay Higgins (R-LA), Ralph Norman (R-SC), Chip Roy (R-TX), and Pete Sessions (R-TX). The rule passed in a 210-208 vote, with two Democrats, Reps. Jared Golden (D-ME) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA), crossing the aisle to move the legislation forward.
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But the five Republicans were not opposing the anti-socialism resolution itself, as they later voted to affirm the resolution. Instead, several used the procedural vote to protest Republican leaders’ handing of legislation and what they described as a failure by the Senate to advance conservative priorities, including the SAVE America Act, which was attached to the resolution.
Roy and Harris used their votes to protest a short-term government funding bill that passed the House earlier Tuesday. Harris told the Washington Examiner he objected to changes the Senate made to the legislation, including a delay to restrictions on hemp products and limits on the Trump administration’s control over federal grants.
Roy has fewer restraints for bucking his party on rule votes as an exiting congressman, as he will not be seeking reelection. The same can be said for Norman, whose term ends in January after a failed Senate bid.
Higgins told the Daily Signal ahead of the vote that opposing a rule is a step he rarely takes, saying he had only done so a few times during his decade in Congress.
“To vote no on a rule requires some very egregious actions from the establishment in some way,” Higgins said. “In this case, it’s a total failure of the Senate and total acceptance of that behavior by my Republican colleagues over here. So, some of us are saying no.”
Higgins pointed specifically to the Senate’s failure to advance the SAVE America Act and another GOP reconciliation package that includes funding assistance for farmers. He said he would oppose Senate legislation until the chamber moves on those priorities.
The rule ultimately passed, thanks to Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez, who also split from their party and voted in favor of the rule. Golden is not seeking reelection, but Perez is fighting to keep her seat in a competitive district.
Despite the rebellion, the rule’s passage allowed the House to move forward with several pieces of legislation, including Rep. Jeff Crank’s (R-CO) resolution condemning socialism.
EIGHT HOUSE DEMOCRATS VOTE TO CONDEMN AND DENOUNCE SOCIALISM AND THE DSA
The House Republicans who did not vote include Reps. Byron Donalds (R-FL), Neal Dunn (R-FL), Michael McCaul (R-TX), Mary Miller (R-IL), Cory Mills (R-FL), and Jay Obernolte (R-CA).
The House Democrats who did not vote include Reps. Angie Craig (D-MN), John Garamendi (D-CA), Marcy Kaptur (D-OH), Stephen Lynch (D-MA), Seth Moulton (D-MA), Richard Neal (D-MA), Adam Smith (D-WA), and Nydia Velazquez (D-NY).
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