The Hastert Rule; One More Republican Fossil!

[Mr. Shaman]

February 28, 2013

IGNORE Republicans;
Washington Is Not Broken​

"Three for Three!!

On Thursday afternoon, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives’s vote to reauthorize the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) guaranteed much-needed protections for all women, but also demonstrated that Congress can advance popular initiatives if GOP leadership is willing to bring legislation to a vote.

Republicans sought to advance their own alternative to the Senate-backed VAWA — one which excluded protections for LGBT, Native American and undocumented victims. But the GOP amendment failed and House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) allowed the chamber to vote on the Senate alternative. It passed 286 to 138, with just 87 GOP votes and marked the third time Republicans advanced and approved legislation that did not garner a majority within their party caucus.

These votes show how Congress can act on critical issues so long as Republicans dispense with the so-called Hastert Rule — an informal rule perpetuated by former House Speaker Denny Hastert (R-IL) that encourages Republicans to only vote on measures that have support from a majority within the GOP."

 

[Mr. Shaman]

Republicans DID find a woman!!

 

[waltky]

Case goin' back to familiar territory...

Hastert hush-money case returns to US court in Chicago
Oct. 15, 2015 — Attorneys in the federal hush-money case against former House Speaker Dennis Hastert are expected to tell a judge in Chicago how plea negotiations are going.

Judge Thomas M. Durkin has asked for an update during Thursday's status hearing. Hastert isn't required to attend. The Illinois Republican's lawyers disclosed last month they're in negotiations. A deal would avert a trial and help keep any potentially embarrassing secrets quiet.

The 73-year-old has pleaded not guilty to charges that he broke banking laws and lied to the FBI in efforts to pay someone $3.5 million to hide claims of past misconduct. The Associated Press and other media, citing anonymous sources, have reported the payments were meant to conceal claims of sexual misconduct decades ago.

Hastert hush-money case returns to US court in Chicago