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Rep. Tammy Duckworth of Illinois, who is expecting a baby in December, is being denied a request to vote by proxy in the House Democratic Caucus leadership and committee member elections next week—even though her doctor advises she can’t travel to Washington in the late stages of her pregnancy.
The Iraq War veteran, who lost both legs when her helicopter was shot down in 2004, made the request in a letter to fellow Democrats. Her letter was read during a closed-door Democratic Caucus meeting on Thursday. But objections were raised, and the request was denied, with opponents including Democratic Steering and Police Committee cochair Rosa DeLauro of Connecticut and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi.
Well, I suppose rules are rules. It seems, however, that the Democrat Party could exercise some discretion and give Ms. Duckworth a break. Can't she skype in to vote? This is 2014, after all.
More hypocrisy from the Democrat Party, what else is new?
I'd be interested in the reason why but seems idiotic to me. They might not want to set a precedent though for other proxy requests.
Soldier lost both her legs, became a house representative, is having a baby and still wants to vote.
She may be a Democrat but damn give the person a break. I'd say she's earned it.
I'm sure that the reason is that the rules say you have to be there in person. That's fine, but the rules need to be updated to allow for women like Ms. Duckworth.
The Democrats have no problem proposing and passing legislation that forces private businesses and citiizens to accommodate pregnant women like Ms. Duckworth. However, they won't practice what they preach in their own caucus. It's just another example of hubris and hypocrisy on the part of Pelosi and the rest of the Democrat Party.
Well, I suppose rules are rules. It seems, however, that the Democrat Party could exercise some discretion and give Ms. Duckworth a break. Can't she skype in to vote? This is 2014, after all.
More hypocrisy from the Democrat Party, what else is new?
Good thread title just more of the democratic war on women
I believe part of the problem is how DC works. Votes are made not on during session in Congress, but in back room deals and intimidations by party whips. There's a story about an Edison invention to speed up vote counts in Congress. It would have greatly sped up business in Congress. Congress firmly rejected his invention. Automatic vote recorder invented by Thomas Edison - Stock Image V400/0022 - enlarged - Science Photo Library
With today's technology, members of congress can stay within their home state while teleconference meetings, view bills and speeches, and vote.
This isn't a war on women, this is the caucus not wanting to change their rules and make an exception for anyone because then they would have to choose who would get it and who wouldn't. Plus this is meant to be a secret vote which would be hard to do when phoning it in.
So thread fail on the war on women part, this is just a slippery slope story.
This isn't a war on women, this is the caucus not wanting to change their rules and make an exception for anyone because then they would have to choose who would get it and who wouldn't. Plus this is meant to be a secret vote which would be hard to do when phoning it in.
So thread fail on the war on women part, this is just a slippery slope story.
Didn't the Democrats prop up Teddy Kennedy, still allowing him to vote practically after rigor mortis set in?
Depends on the vote, Congress can phone in a number of votes, but they can't do that with all of the votes. There are some that require in person voting.
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It seems, however, that the Democrat Party could exercise some discretion and give Ms. Duckworth a break. Can't she skype in to vote? This is 2014, after all.
