Dem
51
GOP
49
We're only staying on top of this story because Rep. Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) is facing a tough reelection campaign, and it could end up being a liability. Anyhow, House Democrats were unable to stop a motion of censure from coming to the floor, a response to the stunt wherein Bowman pulled a false fire alarm in order to delay a vote on the floor of the House. Yesterday, the lower chamber actually voted on the measure, and passed it largely along party lines, 214-191. Four Democrats and a Republican voted "present" (Chrissy Houlahan, D-PA; Glenn Ivey, D-MD; Deborah Ross, D-NC; Susan Wild, D-PA; and Andy Harris, R-MD) and three Democrats (Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, WA; Jahana Hayes, CT and Chris Pappas, NH) crossed the aisle to vote with the Republicans.
We have two thoughts about this news. First, censure used to be reserved for pretty bad misbehavior, but we suppose we don't have too much of a problem with a rather inside baseball punishment being imposed for a rather inside baseball misdeed. Second, House Republicans have spent much time this week on things like motions of censure and potential impeachment investigations, while making no apparent progress on things like border funding and the federal budget. If they're not careful, people will start to draw conclusions about what the priorities of Mike Johnson & Co. really are. (Z)