9 chapters across the catalog
Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer Walk Out of White House Meeting
Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senator Chuck Schumer walked out of a White House meeting regarding the U.S. withdrawal from Syria, citing a "meltdown" by President Trump. Democratic leaders expressed concern over the lack of a plan to contain ISIS following the withdrawal. Trump reportedly insulted Pelosi during the exchange, calling her a "third-rate politician."
Majority Leader Steny Hoyer eventually ruled that Nancy Pelosi's characterization of the President's actions as "racist" was out of order based on precedents from 1984. Despite the ruling, House Democrats voted to keep her remarks in the Congressional Record. The incident is described as a historical breakdown of decorum within the chamber.
Congressional Standing Ovation, Capitol Police Tribute
Members of Congress, including Steny Hoyer and Sanford Bishop, lead a standing ovation for the Capitol Police following the Miriam Carey shooting. The hosts criticize the lack of mention regarding the unarmed mother or the child during the floor speeches.
Representative Steny Hoyer's comments regarding the repeal of the 22nd Amendment are discussed in the context of Bill Clinton's enduring popularity. The hosts speculate on how Bill Clinton's health or legacy might be used as a political tool for a future Hillary Clinton presidential run.
During a House session, the presiding officer adjourned the floor and walked off, resulting in the immediate termination of the C-SPAN video and audio feeds. Representative Steny Hoyer continued to speak for over 20 minutes to an empty chamber, but the footage was unavailable to the public. C-SPAN clarified that it does not control the cameras in the House TV gallery, as the feed is managed by House leadership.
Democratic leaders including Harry Reid and Chuck Schumer used coordinated "hostage" rhetoric to blame Republicans for a partial FAA shutdown that affected 70,000 workers. While the shutdown is framed as a Republican attack on labor, the underlying conflict involves a long-standing dispute over FAA funding extensions and specific regional airport projects.
Presidential Address Traditions, Escort Committees, and Speaker Mannerisms
The formal traditions of the joint session of Congress are criticized for causing a 15-minute delay, a point emphasized by a clip from comedian Dennis Miller. Detailed attention is given to the process of escorting the President into the chamber, the dual-announcer introduction, and the distracting side-talk between Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden during the speech.
House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer is criticized for his floor remarks supporting the climate bill, which he framed as a necessary action for the future. Hoyer claimed that global heating would lead to rising sea levels that would "drown out" what the Navy refers to as "the literals" or seashores. The hosts mock his delivery and the terminology used to describe coastal flooding risks.
The hosts contrast Steny Hoyer's claims of legislative "compromise" with John Boehner's report that a 300-page amendment was dropped into the hopper at 3:09 a.m. on the day of the vote. They argue that ramrodding thousand-page bills through Congress without time for review has become a standard tactic, similar to the earlier stimulus package.
