House stenographer sent for mental exam after floor rant: ‘Praise be to God’

By Cheryl K. Chumley
The Washington Times
Thursday, October 17, 2013

House stenographer Dianne Reidy stunned congressional members late Wednesday evening at the tail end of the government shutdown vote when she wound her way to the podium, ranting about God, Free Masons and the inability of the nation to serve two masters.

“Praise be to God,” Ms. Reidy said. “He will not be mocked. He will not be mocked. Don’t touch me. He will not be mocked.”
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Fox News said Ms. Reidy is well-liked on Capitol Hill — hardly the radical partisan type — and her interruption caused several members to express concern for her mental health. The cable network also reported that Ms. Reidy was sent for a mental evaluation shortly after the incident.

Among her statements, as captured on audio: “The greatest deception here is this is not one nation under God. It never was. Had it been, it would not have been. No. It would not have been. The Constitution would not have been written by Free Masons. They go against God.

You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve two masters. Praise be to God, the Lord Jesus Christ. Praise forever.”

Others on the video tape can be heard in the background urging her to be quiet.

“I think there’s a lot of sympathy, because something clearly happened there,” said Rep. Gerry Connolly, of Ms. Reidy, in The Hill.

And Rep. Joaquin Castro said similarly: “I’ve seen her around when I’ve been on the floor. Other members who have been here longer said she always seemed nice. She was yelling about not being able to serve two masters.”

- With Stephen Dinan

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