What started as an amendment about the Pledge of Allegiance devolved into a heated and prolonged debate Wednesday between members of the House Judiciary Committee during their first meeting of the new Congress.
The committee met to approve panel rules for the new Congress. But the jostling on a seemingly benign measure previews the partisan fireworks ahead on a committee tasked with broad jurisdiction that includes immigration, tech companies and federal law enforcement.
It started when Florida Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz proposed a rules amendment that would give the chair, or their designee, the ability to lead the committee in the pledge at the start of each meeting.
But lawmakers quickly began poking and prodding each other over the amendment, delving into discussion of more than 30 minutes that touched on insurrection, Supreme Court precedent, socialism, the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol and the “defund the police” slogan.
Rhode Island Democratic Rep. David Cicilline wanted the amendment changed to prevent anyone who supported an insurrection from being allowed to lead the pledge at the committee.
“To make sure that someone who led an insurrection against the United States doesn’t make a mockery of the Pledge of Allegiance and stand before this committee with their hand over their heart claiming to support the Constitution,” Cicilline said.
Gaetz, a conservative firebrand, countered that if Cicilline meant Republicans who voted to reject electoral votes from one state after the 2020 election, then Democrats had done that after previous presidential elections. “I’m concerned that you may be disqualifying too many of your own members,” he said.
“I’m not concerned about that at all. Then agree to the amendment,” Cicilline fired back, even offering to leave it up to Chairman Jim Jordan to determine who that would disqualify. “Let’s make this real.”
Rep. Hank Johnson , D-Ga., said it’s ironic that members who disrespected the rule of law — such as not complying with a congressional subpoena from the now-disbanded House select panel on the Jan. 6 attack, which includes Jordan — are now insisting on saying the Pledge of Allegiance at committee meetings. And Johnson also mentioned that certain members of the committee voted against the certification of the 2020 presidential election, but he added that he supports the pledge.
At one point, Rep. Jerrold Nadler of New York, the committee’s ranking member, said the Pledge of Allegiance is already recited on the House floor.
Rep. Mike Johnson , a Louisiana Republican, argued that most lawmakers are not in attendance for the floor pledge. “It’s a bit absurd to suggest we couldn’t take 30 seconds at the beginning of this important work to do what should be done by all Americans,” he said.
Later on, Mike Johnson said some lawmakers had supported the “defund the police” slogan in the past. That prompted Georgia Democratic Rep. Lucy McBath to say she took offense to the comments, arguing that Democrats have worked just as hard as Republicans to provide resources for law enforcement.
“I hope that you will gingerly, going forward, not try to just make those kinds of broad statements about my colleagues on this side of the aisle,” McBath said.
Some Republicans said reciting the Pledge of Allegiance was simply not a big ask.
“How can we waste time arguing about this? Why the heck can’t we just stand up and say we love our country and we love our flag?” said Rep. Jeff Van Drew , a New Jersey Republican.
After all that, the members should get ready to put their hand over their heart.
The committee voted 39-0 to adopt the pledge amendment.
members who disrespected the rule of law — such as not complying with a congressional subpoena from the now-disbanded House select panel on the Jan. 6 attack, which includes Jordan — are now insisting on saying the Pledge of Allegiance at committee meetings. And Johnson also mentioned that certain members of the committee voted against the certification of the 2020 presidential election
Refusing to comply with a subpoena, or voting against a slate of electors (why have a vote if you can’t vote against it?) hardly equate to insurrection.
By Jan 6 2021 Trump had lost 65 court cases relating to his election fraud charges. This FACT was known to every single one of those 150 Republican congresspeople.
Do you think there were legitimate objections to the results of the 2020 election?
Again, if you’re going to make it a crime to vote against something, then don’t have a vote. And Democrats have voted against certifying the election when Republicans won. You can’t have it both ways.
It doesn’t matter what the basis was. There is a vote. In a vote, you’re allowed to vote “no.” You’re not required to supply a reason for review. That’s how votes work.
There are 18 Republican members of this committee who voted against certifying Bidens election on Jan 6th 2021, and that was even after the assault on the Capitol.
The concept of having these people put on a show of patriotism, every day, at the start of this committee, which is widely anticipated to witch hunt the Biden administration, is very distasteful. The democrats have to fight back with whatever means is at their disposal.
You’re being kind. It is disingenuous and debilitating.
With a razor thin majority, here’s hoping that a handful of reasonable gop members will read the handwriting on the wall as the haranguing and handwringing will try the electorates’ patience and they will break from the retribution agenda.
Don't be fooled. David Cicilline is only opposed to pledging allegiance to the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance is hate speech. Democrats want all of us to hate the Untied States.
According to Rep. David Cicilline's rather loose use of the term 'insurrection', every Congressman that has supported the race riots since 2014 would be barred from leading a reading of the Pledge of Allegiance. And Democrats are happy with that.
David Cicilline is only opposed to pledging allegiance to the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance is hate speech. Democrats want all of us to hate the Untied States.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
There isn't any expression of allegiance to a political party or political ideology. There isn't any expression of allegiance to a government. The pledge isn't about democracy.
God god. The ‘Pledge’ was tiresome in the 3rd grade. That this is an issue is ridiculous and nothing more than elementary schoolyard bickering. And yes, I’m a proud American…American enough to know one’s actions mean much more than mindless recitation.
S E E D E D C O N T E N T
pretty much a mic drop moment
Refusing to comply with a subpoena, or voting against a slate of electors (why have a vote if you can’t vote against it?) hardly equate to insurrection.
Do you think there were legitimate objections to the results of the 2020 election?
That is a conspiracy theory unsupported by any facts.
Over 150 Republicans in the House voted with Trump on Jan 6, nothing could be more disgraceful.
By Jan 6 2021 Trump had lost 65 court cases relating to his election fraud charges. This FACT was known to every single one of those 150 Republican congresspeople.
So what was the basis for voting "no" ?
Again, if you’re going to make it a crime to vote against something, then don’t have a vote. And Democrats have voted against certifying the election when Republicans won. You can’t have it both ways.
It doesn’t matter what the basis was. There is a vote. In a vote, you’re allowed to vote “no.” You’re not required to supply a reason for review. That’s how votes work.
Ridiculous.
Ridiculous?
Tell us how votes work then.
So, your philosophy then, is that in a democratic process, anyone who doesn’t agree with you is a criminal?
And just like that the "under god" debate seems trivial.
This is what the next two years will look like. Petty, personal and pernicious.
Embarrassing.
I kind of agree with you, but mainly not.
There are 18 Republican members of this committee who voted against certifying Bidens election on Jan 6th 2021, and that was even after the assault on the Capitol.
The concept of having these people put on a show of patriotism, every day, at the start of this committee, which is widely anticipated to witch hunt the Biden administration, is very distasteful. The democrats have to fight back with whatever means is at their disposal.
“…is very distasteful.”
You’re being kind. It is disingenuous and debilitating.
With a razor thin majority, here’s hoping that a handful of reasonable gop members will read the handwriting on the wall as the haranguing and handwringing will try the electorates’ patience and they will break from the retribution agenda.
What do you think the last six years have been. They were all of that and more.
Don't be fooled. David Cicilline is only opposed to pledging allegiance to the United States. The Pledge of Allegiance is hate speech. Democrats want all of us to hate the Untied States.
According to Rep. David Cicilline's rather loose use of the term 'insurrection', every Congressman that has supported the race riots since 2014 would be barred from leading a reading of the Pledge of Allegiance. And Democrats are happy with that.
Good god, get a grip.
"I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all."
There isn't any expression of allegiance to a political party or political ideology. There isn't any expression of allegiance to a government. The pledge isn't about democracy.
If the Pledge of Allegiance is so important to the Judiciary Committee, why havent they been reciting it all along?
Didn't Democrats lose the House majority? Modern Democrats aren't known for any sort of patriotism.
The Republicans held the House from 2010 -2018. Was the pledge recited before every Judiciary Committee meeting then?
“Modern Democrats aren't known for any sort of patriotism.”
I am a democrat. Do you know enough about me, my life, my circumstances to question my patriotism?
God god. The ‘Pledge’ was tiresome in the 3rd grade. That this is an issue is ridiculous and nothing more than elementary schoolyard bickering. And yes, I’m a proud American…American enough to know one’s actions mean much more than mindless recitation.
What are these a bunch of children?
Fucking idiots with an IQ of 50 are in charge of the House...
Your wrongly. They were knocked out of power last election. Unfortunately there are still 212 still left.