MAJOR UPDATE: Per the Washington Post:

“The House last night unanimously agreed to create a special select committee, with subpoena powers, to investigate Republican allegations that Democratic leaders had stolen a victory from the House GOP on a parliamentary vote late Thursday night.

The move capped a remarkable day that started with Republicans marching out of the House in protest near midnight Thursday, was punctuated by partisan bickering, and ended with Democratic hopes for a final legislative rush fading. Even a temporary blackout of the House chamber’s vote tally board led to suspicions and accusations of skullduggery.

While Democratic leaders hoped to leave for their August recess on a wave of legislative successes, the House instead slowed to an acrimonious crawl that threatened to stretch the legislative session into next week.

The agreement to form a special committee was extraordinary. Such powerful investigative committees are usually reserved for issues such as the Watergate scandal and the funneling of profits from Iranian arms sales to the Nicaraguan contras in the 1980s.

“I don’t know when something like this has happened before,” said House deputy historian Fred W. Beuttler. He called the decision “incredible.”

House Majority Leader Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) accepted GOP calls for an investigation. “I do not believe there was any wrongdoing by any member of the House. I do believe a mistake was made,” he said. “And I regret it.”

“We are not irrelevant here,” said House Minority Whip Roy Blunt (R-Mo.). “Just because we are in the minority doesn’t mean we’re irrelevant.”

Hugh folks! Finally it looks like the Republicans are back, mad as hell and ain’t taking it anymore. Scroll to the bottom of the post and contact the House and tell them you expect them to keep the pressure up. Nothing is “alleged”, look at the linked video and you see Hoyer clearly breaking not only Parliamentary procedures, but House Rules as well as violating the Constitution. He needs to step down – period.

*******End Update*******

Late this afternoon House Democrat Majority Leader Steny Hoyer attempted to apologize for Democrats dispicable behavior on the House floor last night.

“House Democrats apologized Friday for wrestling what appeared to be a winning vote away from Republicans Thursday night.

Republicans continued to steam, however, over the episode in which they appeared to be the winners by a 215-213 tally on a procedural motion designed to make sure illegal immigrants would not get certain benefits from an agriculture spending bill.

Instead, with several lawmakers milling in the well of the House registering votes, Rep. Michael McNulty, D-N.Y., gaveled the vote to a close, saying the GOP measure had failed on a 214-214 tie.

Republicans erupted, chanting “shame, shame, shame,” and then walked out in protest after McNulty permitted further Democrats to switch their votes to prevail 216-212. Despite winning that tally, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., moved for a revote as permitted under the rules, and Democrats prevailed again.

On Friday, Hoyer apologized. “The minority was understandably angry,” he said.”

But as we can see via the Corner, it might just be too late for that.

“Click hereto watch (and listen carefully to) Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) strong-arm the nonpartisan House Parliamentarian in order to overturn the people‚Äôs will and provide welfare benefits to illegal immigrants, angrily saying: ‚ÄúWe control this ‚Ķ not the parliamentarian.‚Äù The encounter occurred Thursday night as the Democrats violated the rules and precedents of the House in overturning the outcome of a vote that the minority legitimately won. “

At the least the Ethics Committee should open a full investigation into this matter. Additionally, House Majority LeaderSteny Hoyer should resign from the House Leadership effective immediately. This is serious violation of the House Rules and of the Constitution he swore to uphold, and cause for removal.

House Republicans should push the issue to the max. Contact them to let them know how you feel.

House Republican Conference
U.S. House of Representatives
1420 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515

Main Office Phone: (202) 225-5107
Press Office Phone: (202) 226-9000
Office Fax: (202) 226-0154

Email: GOP@mail.house.gov