What does “strike the last word” mean?
The phrase of the day has been “strike the last word” — if you’ve been following the last 8+ hours of impeachment debate, you’re likely to have heard this sentence repeated a lot.
The phrase of the day has been “strike the last word” — if you’ve been following the last 8+ hours of impeachment debate, you’re likely to have heard this sentence repeated a lot.
As NBC suggests, “if ‘strike the last word’ were an impeachment drinking game, no one would survive.”
But what does it mean?
It’s basically a parliamentary convention that allows lawmakers to speak a bit longer.
But what does it mean?
It’s basically a parliamentary convention that allows lawmakers to speak a bit longer.
Technically, each amendment is meant to be debated for 10 minutes — five minutes of discussion for the amendment and five minutes against. But other members who want to talk more can offer a “pro forma” amendment.
Here’s an explanation from the Congressional Research Service:
Here’s an explanation from the Congressional Research Service:
After the proponent and the opponent of an amendment have spoken for their allotted five minutes, another Member who wishes to speak may rise and state: I move to strike the last word. The chair then recognizes that
Member for five minutes, technically to speak on the pro forma amendment, but in fact to continue debate on the pending substantive amendment.
Seriously though, please don’t turn this into a drinking game.
Seriously though, please don’t turn this into a drinking game.
Third GOP amendment is voted down, fourth is under consideration
It’s been more than eight hours since the judiciary committee began debating the articles of impeachment against Donald Trump.
An amendment introduced by Republican Andy Biggs, which would have added to the articles that US aid was
An amendment introduced by Republican Andy Biggs, which would have added to the articles that US aid was
released to Ukraine, was voted down along party line.
The committee is now considering yet another Republican amendment to strike the obstruction of congress article altogether.
The committee is now considering yet another Republican amendment to strike the obstruction of congress article altogether.
Republicans have been arguing that it’s the Democrats, not Trump, who have obstructed justice by refusing to grant the Republicans a minority hearing or allow the president to call his own witnesses.
Democrats did invite Trump’s lawyers to attend the judiciary hearing, present their case, request additional testimony and evidence and cross-examine witnesses. But the White House declined to participate.
As the judiciary committee continues debating impeachment articles against him, 🍊 is attending the congressional ball. “We’re having a very exciting month in Washington DC,” he said, delivering opening remarks.
It doesn’t look like the representatives locked in the debate will be able to attend.
