House Democratic leaders have asked a caucus panel to review the conduct of two of their own members who voted with Republicans on a procedural motion, an unusual step against sitting lawmakers nine weeks before the midterm elections.
Reps. Jared Golden (D-Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) were the only Democrats to support H.Res. 1499 on Sept. 1, the rule setting terms for floor debate on four measures, including a resolution condemning socialism.
The rule was adopted 210–208 despite five Republicans voting against it. Rules governing floor debate almost always pass with votes from the majority party alone.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) told reporters at the Capitol shortly after the vote that the two had not warned anyone in leadership.
“The two Democrats who voted for the rule did not give any member of House Democratic leadership a heads up, and as a result, blindsided the entire caucus and created a significant breach of trust,” Jeffries told reporters.
Asked whether the two would face repercussions, he said, “That’s what we’re discussing right now.”
Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.) issued a joint statement later that day.
“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” the three said.
“It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
Among the bills the rule cleared for debate was the Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, legislation Golden wrote with Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) that would extend a pause on new North Atlantic right whale regulations until 2035. The House passed it 219–196 later that day.
Golden did not address the rule vote in statements from his office.
In a release on the lobster bill that was debated as a result of the rule vote, he framed the measure as a bipartisan accomplishment.
“This bill is a big win not only for fishermen in Maine, but for bipartisanship in Congress,” Golden said.
“While the threat of unnecessary, industry-killing regulations is a matter of survival for lobster harvesters in Maine, the issues at play affect fishermen across the Northeast.
“Building bridges across party lines is essential for a functional Congress, but unfortunately, it’s a skill that has been lost for far too many members.”
Gluesenkamp Perez released a statement on the rule vote that did not mention leadership or the caucus review, but rather one of the bills the rule allowed debate on.
“Sunday night my son pulled his first fish out of the Columbia River. What the D.C. bubble doesn’t get is that working waterfronts require working people,” she said.
“Nature is not a terrarium—and you don’t get effective environmentalism without the input of people who make their livelihoods and heritage on the water—whether we’re talking about lobsters or sea lions—working people need a seat at the table and electeds need to listen to them, not data from the 1990s.”
Both lawmakers also voted for the resolution condemning socialism, which passed 220–192.
The Epoch Times did not receive a response when requesting comment from the two Democratic lawmakers on possible repercussions following their votes.
The two members occupy different positions relative to the caucus.
Gluesenkamp Perez represents a district President Donald Trump carried and appears on the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee’s Frontliner list, the group of incumbents the committee identifies as central to winning back the House majority.
Golden is not seeking reelection.
The Epoch Times also sought further comment from the Democratic leader, whip, and caucus chair for details on what the Committee on Caucus Rules has been asked to consider, but did not receive a response beyond the joint statement before publication.
Nathan Worcester contributed to this report.
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