Rep. McGovern Criticizes House GOP for "Clown Show" and "Lawless" Governance

Criticism of House Procedures

• 🤡 House procedures are described as a "clown show," an insult to working clowns, and not how the House of Representatives should be run.
• 🚫 Amendment process is heavily criticized, with only one out of four appropriation bills receiving an amendment process, and a low percentage of submitted amendments being made in order.
• 📉 Regular order is questioned, as only three out of twelve appropriation bills solicited amendments, and a majority of Republican amendments have been blocked.

"Buying Off" Votes and Ineffective Councils

• 💡 A new ethanol domestic energy council is seen as an attempt to "buy off" votes, with unclear details on its composition and purpose.
• ⏳ A previously promised special trade working group never materialized, with no appointed members, hearings, or reports, highlighting a pattern of empty promises.
• 💸 The creation of new councils and working groups is characterized as a "cheap date" tactic to secure votes, with little expectation of actual outcomes.

Concerns Over Presidential Power and "Lawlessness"

• ⚠️ The current administration is accused of treating laws as suggestions, Congress as an obstacle, and the Constitution as optional.
• 📈 Defense spending has increased significantly, yet the bills do nothing to curb the administration's "illegal military actions" or clarify Congress's role in deciding when America goes to war.
• 🚨 ICE is described as "out of control," with federal agents allegedly harassing and intimidating communities, and the speaker argues against providing additional funding.

Lack of Accountability and Trust

• 🚫 Amendments aimed at reining in the administration were offered but voted down by Republicans, indicating a lack of accountability and constraints.
• 🏛️ The House is criticized for giving the President a "blank check" rather than fulfilling its role as a co-equal branch of government.
• 📜 The speaker expresses a lack of trust in the President and his administration, citing their habit of "lawlessness" and the need for strong, enforceable guardrails.

Broader Issues and Priorities

• 📉 The Congress has had the fewest votes on the floor in 35 years, focusing on trivial issues instead of important ones like healthcare, food prices, and utilities.
• 🏥 Provisions in the appropriation bills that continue funding for priorities like medical research, opioid response, childcare, and Head Start are acknowledged, along with the blocking of "poison pill riders."
• 🇺🇸 The speaker urges a "no" vote on the rule, emphasizing that once funding is approved, power shifts, which is particularly concerning with an "erratic and lawless" president.