House Democrats left reeling after shock defections
· Axios
House Democrats were left stunned and pointing fingers Tuesday after a pair of centrist lawmakers unexpectedly helped Republican leadership pass a key procedural vote.
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Why it matters: The result underscored how little control House Democratic leadership enjoys over some of its more independent-minded members even at crucial moments.
- The two centrists, Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.), are known to rarely attend party caucus meetings or heed leadership's instructions on how to vote.
- "I think it's well established that I don't really do whip calls," Golden told Axios on Tuesday.
Driving the news: The House passed what is known as a "rule" — a procedural package setting out the parameters for how a set of bills will be debated on the House floor — in a 210-208 vote.
- Among the legislation included in the rule is a resolution that "condemns and denounces socialism in all its forms," which House Democrats largely oppose due to language touting the SAVE America Act.
- Golden told Axios on Monday he would "probably" vote for that measure despite not previously voting for the SAVE America Act.
What they're saying: Golden noted that the rule also included the Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act, a bill he co-leads to shield lobstermen from federal environmental regulations protecting whales.
- He said the issue is one of his "top priorities" and that Democratic leaders "couldn't possibly think that I would vote against my own bill, right?"
- Golden added that he "had other 'yes' votes lined up, by the way, they just weren't necessary."
- Gluesenkamp Perez indicated in a statement that she also voted for the procedural measure because it included Golden's bill.
State of play: The result left Democrats astonished, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) telling reporters he "didn't get a heads up" from Golden or Gluesenkamp Perez.
- "You'll have to talk to Katherine," he added, referring to House Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), whose primary job is to get Democrats in line on votes.
- A spokesperson for Clark, asked if the whip got a heads-up from the two rogue Democrats, told Axios: "No she didn't."
What they're saying: Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who was known for her iron-fisted leadership while in power, expressed surprise that a rule was allowed to fail.
- "Voting for the rule is something that I, as Speaker, we never — we didn't even consider that anybody would do that," she told reporters.
- "We never had that problem. So I'm disappointed that they did that," Pelosi said, referring to Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez.
What we're hearing: The vote set off a round of fierce behind-the-scenes backlash, including between leadership offices.
- "Let's just say it's creating tension between some of the leadership," said a senior House Democrat.
- The lawmaker said some House Democrats have also directed their criticism at leadership staff.
But the bulk of the anger from rank-and-file members was directed at Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez.
- "It's always disappointing when Democrats defect and vote for a Republican rule," said Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.), who led the debate against Golden's lobsterman bill.
- Said Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.): "Everyone knows that you don't vote against a procedural vote without notifying leadership. Everyone. We're as strong as our weakest link."
- Gluesenkamp Perez "is the one [members] are maddest at," the senior House Democrat told Axios, noting that Golden at least had a bill included in the rule.
Zoom in: "We had a lot of Democrats who were not there to vote," Huffman added.
- Eight Democrats were absent for the vote, compared to just six Republicans.
- "It's a tragedy that we lost a winnable vote," said Huffman.