Thread by @MattGlassman312

For parliamentary procedure geeks, the House floor is pretty funny right now.

The GOO tried to get a recorded vote on final passage of the CR, but the chair (Butterfield) said no one asked for one. Hilarity has now ensued.

Now Scalise is trying to get a motion to reconsider, but that’s already been laid upon he table.

Someone tried to appeal the ruling, but no ruling has been made!

Scalise comes to his senses and asks UC to reconsider.

Hoyer: I object! I have no ide what is going on.

Scalise: is there any motion I can make right now?

Scalise is yielding the chair time!!!!!

Overheard on the mics: “What is going on here?”

Shorter Scalise: I have no idea how UC works.

Shorter Hoyer: My people left, we’re done buddy.

Scalise can’t win this. They need UC to reconider, Hoyer won’t allow it.

GOP is basically arguing Butterfield didn’t recognize them for a recorded vote on the CR passage, but it’s too late to overturn that except by UC.

Scalise now moves to vacate the vote by UC, and then postpone the vote. Hoyer says nope.

Shorter Hoyer: we wouldn’t have screwed this up in the minority.

Shorter Scalise: We would have heard you in the majority!

Scalise: we can compel members to return!

Scalise’s ask now—UC to vacate + postpone reconsideration—would work, except Steny wants this vote on the record for the weekend.

Steny admits he was surprised no recorded votes was called (we were too at lunch watching).

(Yes, we watch the floor at lunch sometimes).

Shorter Steny: we’ll vote three times next week to open the government, speak up for a recorded vote then.

And it’s over. Butterfield gavels out while GOP boos.

But wait! It’s just a recess at the call of the chat—perhaps they can work something out.

Ok. Let's catch our breath and review what just happened. The House had stacked up three votes this afternoon---a suspension motion on the Russia sanactions, the motion to recommit on the CR, and final passage on the CR.

After the recorded vote on the motion to recommit, the question was on final passage of the CR. The chair called for the yeas and nays, and then (apparently) no one asked for a recorded vote, so the CR passed, and the motion to reconsider was laid on the table by UC.

At this point, confusion reigned, on both sides. Everyone was sure the GOP would ask for a recorded vote (minority always does), so when they didn't there was about 5 minutes of confusion. Some members left.

It was at that point that Scalise got recognized and claimed the GOP had asked for a recorded vote and wasn't heard. Then he searched for a way out asbsent unanimous consent, but couldn't find one (there really isn't). Hoyer denied several UC requests.

Best moment is Hoyer coming to floor and saying, "I have no idea what is going on, but I object."

Funniest moment is Scalise trying to yield time to Butterfield (in the chiar). That's...not a thing.

And they are back!!!!

Steny asks for UC to ultimately take a revote next Wednesday.

Scalise thanking Hoyer/Butterfield. “I made motions... some were in order, some were out of order.”

“I’m glad I never had to go in front of you [Butterfield] as a judge.”

Overall, good resolution here. Hoyer relents and accommodates, Scalise bends the knee and is appreciative.

My favorite moment (paraphrased):

Scalise: Is there any motion I can make to get reconsideration?
Chair: A UC request.
S: Anything that doesn't require UC?
C: I don't have time to do advisory work for you.
S: I'll yield you all the time you need.
C: [That's not a thing...]

1/2

C: What do you want now?
S: How can I do this?
C: Get UC from our colleagues.
S: That recognition was sought.
C: [?]
S: ...
C: [?]
S: I seek UC to fix this mess.
Hoyer: I object.