McHenry in the thick of political hardball
Republican accused of quasi-filibuster; he says Democrats cheated
LISA ZAGAROLI
http://www.charlotte.com/politics/story/234384.html

Civility seems to have been restored on Capitol Hill, but only because Congress is on vacation for the month.

The last week of session was a rough one. Near bedlam ensued over a roll call that the Republicans thought they had won, but didn't get credit for.

Rep. Patrick McHenry, a Cherryville Republican, was in the thick of things.

As is his routine, he had spent part of the week trying his best to thwart, or at least delay, the Democratic agenda.

The head of the House Appropriations Committee referred to a McHenry proposal on an agriculture bill as "a filibuster masquerading as an amendment."

"It simply affords those who offer it, under the guise of talking about spending, to really engage in delay and delay and delay," said Rep. David Obey, D-Wis.

McHenry had offered an amendment to an amendment, essentially doubling to $100,000 the savings another lawmaker hoped to get out of a bill.

"I would like to see if we can actually go a little bit further in cutting government spending," McHenry explained.

Tempers were frayed by the time the conversation had turned to cutting off certain benefits to illegal immigrants and the controversial procedural vote, which would have sent the bill to committee.

The GOP thought they had enough votes when the gavel came down. But in the seconds before the final tally was actually locked in electronically, some members switched sides and the party ended up down by a few votes. Republicans cried foul, and many walked out in protest.

The next day, McHenry took to the floor to berate the House leadership.

"The issue before us is whether or not illegal immigrants can get government benefits, and the Democrat majority in this House has shown that they are willing to cheat in order to win a vote," he said, repeating himself for emphasis, "Cheat in order to win a vote. And ..."

Oops. Not allowed to call fellow members of Congress cheaters on the House floor.

Rep. Ellen Tauscher, D-Calif., asked that McHenry's words be "taken down," which basically means ruled unparliamentary or out of order.

McHenry withdrew his comment, but continued.

"My point is that the actions of the Democrat majority on the House floor last night besmirches the character of this House," he said.

"Was it a cover-up? Was it a sham? Absolutely. And some, some believe the actions were cheating the facts."

Leadership of both parties agreed to set up a special committee to review the incident.

Meantime, the official tally on the controversial vote from Aug. 2 is listed as 216-212. It was divided mostly along party lines, but 14 Democrats, including Rep. Heath Shuler of Waynesville, joined the GOP.

"Congressman Shuler believes that stopping illegal immigration and ensuring that our taxpayer dollars are spent properly are two of the most important issues facing our nation," his spokesman, Andrew Whalen, said. "He voted for the motion to recommit to ensure that no benefits intended for American citizens are given to those who have entered our country illegally."