Come for the politics, stay for the snark.

Republicans are radicals, not conservatives.

The words do not have to be perfect.

Give the craziest people you know everything they want and hope they don’t ask for more? Great plan.

“Everybody’s entitled to be an idiot.”

When someone says they “love freedom”, rest assured they don’t mean yours.

Whatever happens next week, the fight doesn’t end.

Fuck these fucking interesting times.

Sitting here in limbo waiting for the dice to roll

Sadly, there is no cure for stupid.

If you tweet it in all caps, that makes it true!

This really is a full service blog.

Is it negotiation when the other party actually wants to shoot the hostage?

That’s my take and I am available for criticism at this time.

We’ve had enough carrots to last a lifetime. break out the sticks.

It may be funny to you motherfucker, but it’s not funny to me.

Yeah, with this crowd one never knows.

Usually wrong but never in doubt

They’re not red states to be hated; they are voter suppression states to be fixed.

fuckem (in honor of the late great efgoldman)

Red lights blinking on democracy’s dashboard

Historically it was a little unusual for the president to be an incoherent babbling moron.

Bark louder, little dog.

Fuck the extremist election deniers. What’s money for if not for keeping them out of office?

People are complicated. Love is not.

You are here: Home / Politics / America / Live Feed: Opening of the 116th Congress

Reader Interactions

392Comments

  1. 1.

    Jerzy Russian

    I can’t decide if she should knock Paul Ryan upside his head with the gavel or just shove it up ass (this assumes he is there, I cannot watch the feed right now).

  3. 3.

    Yarrow

    From previous thread:
    Watching Mike Pence, hand-picked by Paul Manafort and head of Trump’s transition team along with traitor Michael Flynn, swearing in the Senators by asking them to “support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies foreign and domestic” is a bit surreal.

  4. 4.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Jerzy Russian: Ryan won’t be there. Don Young, as the longest serving member of the House in either party, will be swearing her in as Speaker. He’s a complete crank and bugfuck nuts, so there is not telling what he might say or do.

  5. 5.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Yarrow: I would have made it clear I would not accept the oath from him and stated that my caucuses leader could swear me in.

  7. 7.

    Gin & Tonic

    The CSPAN timestamp is about a minute behind – wondering if that’s actually a CSPAN problem, or if the “live” feed here on B-J is running slow.

    Yes, I’m kind of an NTP geek, why do you ask?

  10. 10.

    bemused

    I just saw a clip “Nancy in the House” of Pelosi walking in with three of her, I assume, grandchildren. Man, she is a damn attractive 78 year old. She rocks the red dress.

  11. 11.

    dmsilev

    Does Pelosi get to come in riding in a sedan chair carried by Seth Moulton and his little band?

  12. 12.

    ruemara

    I’m so excited for this new Congress. So many WOC. So many bright, capable women. So many flipped seats. It’s terribly exciting. Oh, just saw the answers. Yes, staying at the same place, Green Tortoise. I didn’t do enough exploring of the area and it’s a good walking distance from the convention center.

    @Gin & Tonic: We’re trying for a generational hold on Congress this time. KinderCongress.

  14. 14.

    Punchy

    I’m surprised she can hold the gavel in her hands, being that she has so much blood of Americans all over them, since she’s personally killed 800K Americans and their jobs.

    Today’s Rush, likely.

  17. 17.

    Yutsano

    All I can think watching the people mill about during the quorum call is look at all the diversity on that floor! It’s getting closer to reflecting true America as it stands right now.

    And Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez taking selfies with Barbara Lee gives me life. If she has more than just one mentor in the House that can only be a double plus good

  19. 19.

    CaseyL

    Just back from a Dr appt, and thrilled that I didn’t miss the swearing in and Nancy taking the gavel!

    @ruemara: That’s good to know, so I think we should keep the meetup downtown. Did you notice any places during your last visit where you’d like to do the meetup?

  20. 20.

    Quinerly

    @Punchy: well, the crazies are out. I keep my FB circle very small so I don’t run into much crazy shit in my circle. But a friend shared one of my Pelosi posts this AM. A friend of his responded that Pelosi will be indicted within 6 months and sent to Gitmo. Apparently, this guy saw something on YouTube that an indictment is coming down on Pelosi for “her part” in various murders in sanctuary cities. My head hurts. Looked at this guy’s FB profile… He loves him some Bernie. (and John Hartford, the musician). Did I say that my head hurts?

  22. 22.

    Hob

    @Punchy: Every time she visits San Francisco, she murders the entire population with a variety of weapons. It’s really annoying. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve died by her hand.

  23. 23.

    donnah

    Watching Nancy Pelosi ushering her granchildren into the Chamber, her eyes sparkling and a big smile on her face, I got tears of joy in my eyes. This is a big fucking deal.

  24. 24.

    Hob

    @Quinerly: Today before I realized what I was doing, I replied to a friend’s *public* Facebook post, which was about the climate committee and began with the words “Goddamn Pelosi.” I am probably going to regret it very much.

  25. 25.

    Elizabelle

    Thanks for the live feed. Will be watching, happily. Historic day. Team Rescue is on the way.

  26. 26.

    trollhattan

    @Quinerly:
    That person seems to be putting a lot of energy into assuring he’ll die unhappy and disappointed in “you people.” I can’t relate, but they’re out there.

  27. 27.

    different-church-lady

    What’s the silver thing to the right of the podium that looks like a cocktail set?

  28. 28.

    CaseyL

    @Hob: I replied to a (former) friend’s public post that was also castigating Pelosi. My comment noted that she (my friend) had learned absolutely nothing from the 2016 fiasco. She deleted my comment. She’s a Berner through and through.

  29. 29.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @Hob: You got to admit for a woman her age Pelosi looks hot with a baseball bat, so the random deaths are well worth it.

  32. 32.

    Quinerly

    @donnah: I’m getting very emotional myself. I tend to do this, though. Embarrassed a friend I was visiting in DC on the Capitol tour shortly after Pelosi was sworn in the first go around. I teared up outside Pelosi’s office on the tour.

  37. 37.

    different-church-lady

    “…and the chamber where, if my party has our way, we will revoke a woman’s right to vote…”

  38. 38.

    trollhattan

    Arrgh, Liz Cheney, I looked into here eyes. “Don’t touch it, it’s evil. Arrrrgh!!!”

  40. 40.

    Adam L Silverman

    @CaseyL: Maybe you all should make it an adventure night. I’ll call the dojo and get everything set up for your introductory class.

  41. 41.

    Yarrow

    Both McConnell and Liz Cheney are speaking. CNN is showing both in little boxes but the panel is talking over them. Sorry, Republicans. Heh.

  45. 45.

    ruemara

    ESADIAF, Liz Cheney.
    *watches liz yap; prays for a just deity to smite her, and don’t forget Dick too*

  48. 48.

    Elizabelle

    Utter bullshit that “the government is more a burden than a help to small business.”

    Lies, lies, lies. Going after federal bureaucrats after Ms. Cheney and her family have burrowed in and made their $$$ off of the federal government.

    Leader McCarthy. No, no, no.

    Also, it’s interesting to look at the old white guys the Republicans sent to the House. Which is why they are all hiding behind Liz Cheney’s skirts.

  50. 50.

    TomatoQueen

    Cheneybollocks in a skirt is still Cheneybollocks.

    Was also noting how diverse this bunch looks, Still a whole lot of old white guys.

    Nancy.

  53. 53.

    realbtl

    @dmsilev: Rather than Seth Mouton (sp? I’m lazy) I would much prefer Paul Ryan and the heads of the crazy caucus carrying the litter, each accompanied by a Dem with a spiked cudgel to prevent “accidents.”

  54. 54.

    Quinerly

    @trollhattan: There’s a lot of love for deceased musician John Hartford here in St. Louis. I know a few riverboat captains… This is the first whack job Hartford fan I have run into. Very disconcerting. He looks to be a retired towboat guy from his FB profile. He’s ranting and raving on my poor friend’s thread as I type.

  55. 55.

    Elizabelle

    Muting Liz Cheney. Tell me when we get a different speaker. Her flat voice, with her exaggerations, was getting to me.

  56. 56.

    Marcopolo

    I was hoping to be able to say I drank alcohol before noon today toasting Pelosi getting the gavel. I’m now worried. Let’s get this thing done, otherwise I should have been watching Denver.

    And as an aside, compared to Hakim Jefferies joyful nomination of Pelosi, Cheney talking about McCarthy is so low energy. But she is at least keeping her lies about stuff straight.

  57. 57.

    ruemara

    @CaseyL: I’m open to where ever. The last place was nice, if that’s good for all.

    @Adam L Silverman: I like the papier mache construction civic rebuilding bill coming from KinderCongress, but if they’re serving cookies and drinks, I’m running for that kid’s seat. VOTE ME FOR PRE-K!

  60. 60.

    chopper

    i love how cheney just said that the last congress was ‘historically productive’. citing the tax cuts and nothing else.

  63. 63.

    Elizabelle

    Meanwhile, Dave Brat sits in his office at Liberty “University’s” School of “Business.”

    I wonder if he was issued his own pool boy.

    So, progress is made. Remember all the drama about new Dems gonna take Nancy Pelosi out. All the crap the political industrial complex spews out.

  74. 74.

    different-church-lady

    Aardvark… McCarthy. Antelope… Pelosi. Armadillo… Pelosi. Anaconda… McCarthy

  82. 82.

    Elizabelle

    There’s one young person sitting with all the old white people — mostly men — on the far right of the chamber.

    Young girl swathed in pink, sitting next to Peter King, I think. In the front row. Otherwise, all old codgers, most in ties.

  86. 86.

    Elizabelle

    @MazeDancer: They got all the good lockers in high school. (You have a name at the end of the alphabet, you are lucky if you are in the building.)

  89. 89.

    Marcopolo

    Well, At least Cooper only voted present.

    Crow votes for Duckworth.

    Did not catch who voted for Bustos.

  93. 93.

    different-church-lady

    Chilean-Flamingo of Alabama… McCarthy. Chilean-Flamingo of Missouri… McCarthy. Chilean-Flamingo of Nebraska… McCarthy.

  95. 95.

    Elizabelle

    Wikipedia about Anthony Brindisi, who proudly voted for Joe Biden: he’s from upstate NYS; his district went for Trump by like 19 points, but he ousted the GOP congresscritter.

    Anthony Joseph Brindisi (born November 22, 1978) is an American politician, attorney, and Democratic New York State Assembly member from Utica, New York who represents New York’s 119th Assembly District. Prior to his election to the Assembly in 2011, Brindisi served on the Utica School Board and practiced as an attorney.[2] Brindisi is the member of the US House of Representatives from New York’s 22nd congressional district, having defeated Republican incumbent Claudia Tenney in the 2018 midterm elections.

    Cooper just voted “present.” Think that’s a dude from Tennessee?

    Crow for Tammy Duckworth. Think that’s the new guy from Colorado? The vet? Oh well, a Democrat.

  96. 96.

    CaseyL

    Too many Dems voting for “Other.” I know Nancy has done the count, but this still makes me nervous

  98. 98.

    trollhattan

    @chris:
    Canadian political humour:
    Q: How many leftist Saskatchewan farmers does it take to change a lightbulb?
    A: Two–one to change it and another to point out that they wouldn’t need to if the NDP were in power.

    This concludes my collection of Canadian political humour.

  100. 100.

    Elizabelle

    Rosa DeLauro “for the pride of Italian-Americans, Pelosi.”

    Desjarlain (sp) for McCarthy. Isn’t that the guy who had mistress trouble scandal? Looking him up now.

  107. 107.

    tarragon

    Little girl sitting with Rep Eshoo was pumping her arms and looking estatic as Rep Eshoo voted for Pelosi. So cute.

  110. 110.

    Quinerly

    @Elizabelle: pretty sure he is a doctor or dentist. Tennessee. Forced his mistress to have an abortion, if I remember correctly. Family values, et al.

  111. 111.

    Elizabelle

    And yes, it was that weasel. Re-elected in 2016; narrowly, but he kept the seat.

    Politico article from 2014: The Biggest Hypocrite in Congress?

    NASHVILLE—Two abortions. Maybe three, if you count the one he pressured a girlfriend—who happened to be his patient—to get. Pulling out a gun during an argument with his first wife. Prescribing pills to another patient while they dated. Getting reprimanded by the Tennessee Board of Medical Examiners for dallying with patients, an ethics violation.

    Voters in Tennessee’s 4th Congressional District had plenty of reasons not to vote for incumbent Scott DesJarlais last week. The Tea Party Republican might have snuck under the radar to win a first term in 2010 and held back an onslaught of negative publicity long enough to capture a second one in 2012, but a third time? When conservative voters in this district, which stretches from the edges of Chattanooga to Nashville, went to the polls, they were widely expected to run off a pro-life, family-values conservative who had shown in divorce court that he could bend those beliefs in his own life.

    Now looking up this “Boutros” that the too impressed with themselves Democrats are voting for … is it Dems?

  112. 112.

    ruemara

    I’m glad for the roll call vote so I know who to hex in vengeance for not voting Pelosi.

    Metaphorically.

  115. 115.

    comrade scotts agenda of rage

    @CaseyL:

    @Hob: I replied to a (former) friend’s public post that was also castigating Pelosi. My comment noted that she (my friend) had learned absolutely nothing from the 2016 fiasco. She deleted my comment. She’s a Berner through and through.

    A couple of us alluded to this in the last thread about how Our Progressive Betters are as much the cause of pushing thru a Repub agenda as the Repubs are themselves.

    Another example of the Horseshoe Theory of Politics: Our Progressive Betters are, on most days, electorally indistinguishable from your average wingnut.

  128. 128.

    artem1s

    the GOP would put up a guy named McCarthy in this day and age. Is he related or just unfortunate?

  130. 130.

    Elizabelle

    Wikipedia on Cheri Bustos, whom the No Pelosi coalition are supporting. (And did Bustos vote for Bustos?)

    Cheryl Lea Bustos (née Callahan; born October 17, 1961) is an American journalist, healthcare executive, and politician who has served as the U.S. Representative for Illinois’s 17th congressional district since 2013. A member of the Democratic Party, Bustos is the first woman elected to Congress from her district.

    Previously elected to the East Moline City Council in 2007, she defeated Republican incumbent Bobby Schilling in the 2012 congressional election and a subsequent 2014 rematch. Assigned to the House Committee on Agriculture and Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, she represents a northwest Illinois constituency anchored by the Quad Cities, Peoria, and Rockford. As of the 2016 elections, Bustos and U.S. Senator Dick Durbin are the only Democrats in the Illinois Congressional Delegation who are not from the Chicago area.

    I enjoy hearing all these Pelosi votes.

    I wonder if Abigail Spanberger will just go with “present.” Meanwhile, Dave Brat, from his office at scenic Liberty University. May be watching, may not be. Who cares?

    Kein??? Voted for John Lewis.

  138. 138.

    Marcopolo

    @Citizen Alan: She’s a blue dog representing a conservative IL district. Not no labels. Also heading up the D’s house re-election effort in 2020.

  139. 139.

    kindness

    The Trump supporters are taking this new turn terribly. I was just looking at one of my FB groups – Friends of Dead & Company and the Trumpies are having apoplexy. Normally one would thing they would stfu at this auspicious moment but no, they are shitting on every thread and I’ve seen 2 different threads get pulled because of the morons posting in about 10 minutes. Damn. Stupid MoFos.

  142. 142.

    Elizabelle

    @different-church-lady: I am still curious whether Pete Davidson put the eyepatch candidate in office. Maybe it was closer before he spewed his juvenile crap. But then, publicity and sympathy vote.

  145. 145.

    Marcopolo

    Just missed who voted for Murphy & not sure who Murphy is actually.

    Whoever Murphy is they just voted for Pelosi lol

  147. 147.

    opiejeanne

    @artem1s: He’s a Freedom Caucus nutjob from the red part of California. His party was helpful in stalling a lot of bad Republican legislation, but that’s the only thing they’re good for.

  151. 151.

    Elizabelle

    I see Abigail Spanberger. Has two of her daughters with her. Little Catherine sitting in her lap. (Aged 4, in arms for AS’s victory speech.)

    Donald McEachin from Richmond VA area voted for “the once and future Speaker, Nancy Pelosi.” I like that.

  152. 152.

    Betty Cracker

  153. 153.

    opiejeanne

    @kindness: What the fuc! did they expect? That they’d manage to retain the Speaker position? Did they not notice the recent election?

  154. 154.

    Yarrow

    OMG, Nancy Pelosi’s grandkids got to vote for her. Her granddaughter was so excited. Adorable.

  157. 157.

    Quinerly

    @kindness: Trump loving Dead Heads? I’m having problems processing this information. I know of many Bernie hold outs. But Trumpers…..WTF?

  159. 159.

    HeleninEire

    Thanks for this for 2 reasons.

    1. The time diff always makes me miss things. Was at dinner and when I saw this thread I paid my bill and ran home.

    2. Put on CNN (don’t get Cspan here). Jesus those assholes are ASSHOLES.

  161. 161.

    different-church-lady

    Mayfly of Massachusetts… Algae. Mayfly of Michigan… Algae. Mayfly of Mississippi…

  162. 162.

    Yarrow

    @Elizabelle: It might helped a little bit but it was unlikely that the Republican was going to lose that district. Especially not with a war hero candidate.

  169. 169.

    Adam L Silverman

    @opiejeanne: Yes. They expected the Democratic Caucus to split over Pelosi, leaving McCarthy as the only viable option for Speaker. Even had the Democratic Caucus actually done this, or even if they were doing it as the vote is ongoing, the Republicans in the House would never get enough Democratic defections for McCarthy to become Speaker. The Democratic Caucus would have just kept voting until someone decided to compromise.

  176. 176.

    The Moar You Know

    Moulton voted for Nancy. Heh.

    @CaseyL: I hope the words tasted like vomit and lava in his dumbass mouth. Fuck that guy.

  180. 180.

    Ceci n est pas mon nym

    @Adam L Silverman: They really don’t inhabit our reality, do they? It will be interesting to see what happens to RWNJ minds when reality increasingly impinges on their bubble. And by interesting, I mean “appalling”.

  188. 188.

    Yarrow

    @Marcopolo: The apology by Davidson and the appearance of Crenshaw on SNL was the weekend after the election, when Crenshaw was Congressman-elect. That might be what you were thinking of.

    The original mocking pissed me off so much because I knew it was the kind of thing that would bring out voters for Crenshaw. I still don’t think it put him over the top but I do think it possibly gained him a few points.

  193. 193.

    The Moar You Know

    Trump loving Dead Heads? I’m having problems processing this information. I know of many Bernie hold outs. But Trumpers…..WTF?

    @Quinerly: I lived in Santa Cruz for almost a decade, met a crapload of Deadheads there, and the vast majority of them, had they cut their hair and put on suits, would have been perfectly suited for today’s GOP. Women were sex objects, blacks and POC weren’t allowed near them, and the world owed them a lot of money. And indeed, a lot of those guys proved after the fact to have been pretty good at making money.

    The ONLY thing differentiating them from the GOP was marijuana.

  194. 194.

    ruemara

    AUNTIE MAXINE!

    @CaseyL: Definite horseshoe theory in action. And they’ve been ramping shit up since after we flipped so many seats last election. They are going to be a PROBLEM 2019 – 2020, so I suggest folks get used to having to slap them down and maybe even getting defriended.

  201. 201.

    Elizabelle

    Ah, we have a few who did not vote first time around.

    Jones. No response.

    Mr. Van Drew is present.

  203. 203.

    Quinerly

    @The Moar You Know: different set of Dead Heads from my circle. The ones here are mostly off the grid types (and I’m not talking electrical grid), don’t own a suit or a pair of decent shoes. 90% were Bernie supporters. I guess the Midwest is different. ?

  205. 205.

    M31

    OK Nancy, you’ve got the gavel, now I want two full years of bashing Trump and all his enablers in the nads.

    You are allowed to take breaks and hand the gavel to others during those times.

  206. 206.

    Marcopolo

    Curious why anyone would not have voted by now but there are several who haven’t.

    Am watching CSPAN. What are the talking heads on cable saying?

  207. 207.

    Betty Cracker

    Just watched my shitty new rep (new to me because I moved, not new to the House) vote for McCarthy. He’s one of those gubmint-hatin’ politicians who has been an elected official since 1980. The ads would write themselves — just show old photos of the shit-stain in the Florida Statehouse in his Members Only jacket. Maybe I can talk my husband into running against him! :)

  208. 208.

    Adam L Silverman

    @different-church-lady: Sounded like it was coming from the Republican side. I think, despite them running her down, that they were hoping she’d revolt and give them control of the chamber or something. They’re not the sharpest knives in the plastic chopstick drawer.

  209. 209.

    Elizabelle

    WaPost breaking news banner up. It’s Pelosi.

    And this, too:

    EXCLUSIVE
    Justice Dept. is investigating whether Zinke lied to his agency’s inspector general

    Ryan Zinke resigned as President Trump’s interior secretary amid ethics probes. Investigators came to believe Zinke lied to them and referred the matter to the Justice Department, which has not yet decided whether to press charges.

  210. 210.

    hueyplong

    I kind of like Ryan simply disappearing. It fits the cowardly optics through which he will be (and deserves to be) viewed by future generations.

  212. 212.

    Shana

    Who was the congressman holding the baby in the aisle? He kind of looked familiar but I couldn’t place him.

  215. 215.

    squid696

    @Yarrow: Davidson’s bs pissed me off, as well. As the only person I saw for miles around with a Litton sign in their front yard I knew it was a difficult race anyway, but I thought he had a chance.

  217. 217.

    Marcopolo

    @Adam L Silverman: Or maybe from the gallery. Anyone paying attention should have seen her Pelosi vote a mile off.

    And stupid me just realized there shoukd only be 434 votes total due to NC-9.

  218. 218.

    Elizabelle

    It will be nice to be able to watch the House of Reps and the news again. Have been on a news blackout pretty much since campaign 2016. And certainly after.

  220. 220.

    opiejeanne

    @FelonyGovt: It’s been a long time coming, but I will sleep a little better knowing they can’t touch SS, Medicare and Medicaid now.

  221. 221.

    Elizabelle

    @Shana: I was thinking that baby was shaken, not stirred.

    That she was probably sound asleep. But maybe just nervous energy by her father.

  222. 222.

    Yutsano

    @Marcopolo: 29-192-18-3. The rumblings on the Democratic side were expected but ultimately were campaign promises kept. As long as they’re going to work with her as Speaker then I don’t give a shit about their vote now.

    But yeah there is still some division on the Republican side. Could be very entertaining to watch Nancy thread a few bipartisan needles.

  224. 224.

    Yarrow

    @squid696: If he was ever going to have a chance it was 2018. But Ted Poe’s district? That’s a tough one. Maybe if the Republican candidate had been terrible, but Crenshaw was a good candidate, so…

  228. 228.

    different-church-lady

    “So, what happens next, Brett?”

    “Well, Katie, I think the real question is, can Speaker Pelosi find a way to compromise with President Trump’s plan to kill all puppies?”

  229. 229.

    Yutsano

    @CaseyL: I was wondering that too. It was definitely his mug mulling around the Republican side. That can’t be good.

    As far as meeting up: no guarantees at least this weekend but I will be over at the end of the month. So one way or another we’ll see each other about again.

  230. 230.

    Marcopolo

    @Yutsano: Honestly speaking, we should all know by now that Pelosi can count votes. You have to believe she has met w/ all the Freshmen & made it a point to let the ones who made campaign promises not to vote for her keep that promise.

    The paygo vote will be interesting to see. I can actually argue either side of that position.

  231. 231.

    TomatoQueen

    Posting’s been impossible for the last hour. Stop screwing around and give her the damn gavel.

  233. 233.

    CaseyL

    Aaand… it’s official. Nancy Smash is in charge of the House!!!

    @Yutsano: Yes! Please let me know when you’ll be in town.

  234. 234.

    Jim, Foolish Literalist

    Cameron Joseph @ cam_joseph
    Pelosi has the Grateful Dead’s Micky Hart as well as Tim Gunn and Tony Bennett here, according to her office

    Really did not have Nancy Pelosi down as a deadhead, but I guess Micky Hart might well be a constituent

  235. 235.

    Marcopolo

    Official vote is 220 for Pelosi so 15 D’s voted otherwise.

    Ah, Stacy Abrams was the Abrams vote :)

  236. 236.

    Adam L Silverman

    @trollhattan: That’s for Crenshaw, one of the GOP reps from Texas. He’s a combat wounded Navy SeAL; lost his right eye. I don’t think there’s an eyepatch emoji, so…

  237. 237.

    Yarrow

    Wow, none of the Republicans are even sitting with McCarthy. Sad!

    SO excited Nancy is back as Speaker! Giver her the gavel! It’s time for Nancy SMASH!

  238. 238.

    Paul W.

    Can I just say I am so relieved we got here without the nation already burning down.

    It is only the lifting of the foot of the first step, but we have to start somewhere!

  239. 239.

    rikyrah

    @opiejeanne:

    @FelonyGovt: It’s been a long time coming, but I will sleep a little better knowing they can’t touch SS, Medicare and Medicaid now.

    Been feeling that way since November 6, 2018.
    The American Experiment continues.
    The American Social Safety Net is safe.

  241. 241.

    Joy in FL

    I don’t have cable, so I appreciate the live feed.
    It’s so nice to watch this historical event live, even the l o n g roll call : )

    I feel better for all of us than I have felt since the 2016 election.

  242. 242.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Elizabelle: Of course he lied to them. The reason he was denied an O6 (Navy captain’s) command and then run out of the Naval Special Warfare community is because he pulled all sorts of financial and other shenanigans and then lied to both his chain of command and NCIS about it. That’s what made him available to run for Congress to begin with. He’s a shitbird. He’s always been a shitbird. He will always be a shitbird.

  244. 244.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Shana: Eric Swalwell of California. He’s one of Schiff’s lieutenants on the House Intelligence Committee.

  246. 246.

    dww44

    I’ve been out all day. Why is Leon Panetta sitting in the house? Is there a special connection to Pelosi?

  247. 247.

    squid696

    @Yarrow: I was glad to see Litton actually have TV ads, but Crenshaw had some really bad positions (privatizing SS) that I think should have made it into some of Litton’s TV ads. Fletcher was a lot more aggressive going after Culberson don’t you think? I hope that is the lesson learned for Democrats in the Houston area going forward.

  250. 250.

    Mary G

    Nicely orchestrated vote – all the anti-Nancy votes spread around so nobody got more than four. She’s a sharp mover. Love the committee to escort her in is half the Congress, and reading off all the names of the CA delegation must have given Republicans agita.

  255. 255.

    Elizabelle

    Awaiting Nancy Pelosi’s speech and then will get back to non-C-Span watching life.

    Nancy Smash, back as Speaker. We are safer by the minute.

  263. 263.

    Marcopolo

    I hope I am wrong but I have a gut feeling that the orange blob will now try to do something stoopid to steal attention away from Pelosi.

    After all, he can’t stand it when he’s not the center of attention & it is all about Nancy today.

  265. 265.

    Aleta

    Moulton latches on to Ayanna Pressley, hoping to make like he’s escorting her. But she’s powerful and he looks like a weasel who got stepped on trying to use her.

  267. 267.

    Schlemazel

    I am disappointed ‘ol PX-90 was not required to stay long enough to hand the gavel over!

  268. 268.

    Fair Economist

    I’m going to enjoy saying that all Republicans are going to be voting for in the 2020 election is which Californian gets to be speaker ;-)

  269. 269.

    rikyrah

    Well. this is a thunderbolt

    ……………………

    Feds charge powerful Ald. Edward Burke with corruption
    by Jason Meisner
    Chicago Tribune

    Longtime Ald. Edward Burke, one of Chicago’s most powerful figures and a vestige of the city’s old Democratic machine, has been charged with attempted extortion for allegedly using his position as alderman to corruptly solicit business for his private law firm.

    Editor’s note: An earlier version of this story indicated Burke had already turned himself in. He is expected to do so Thursday afternoon.

    The 37-page criminal complaint filed in U.S. District Court comes five weeks after the FBI carried out a stunning raid on Burke’s City Hall office, working for hours behind windows covered with brown butcher paper before leaving down a back staircase with computers and files.

    According to the one count, Burke in 2017 tried to extort a company that owns fast-food restaurants in the Chicago area and needed help with permits for a remodeling job.

    The evidence includes numerous recorded calls from Burke’s cell phone as well as emails and other documents, according to the complaint, which was filed Wednesday and unsealed Thursday.

    The complaint also alleged Burke illegally solicited a campaign donation from an executive with the restaurant company for another politician, who is not named in the charges.

  271. 271.

    Punchy

    Official vote is 220 for Pelosi so 15 D’s voted otherwise.

    OH SHIT!!! DEMS IN DISARRAY! DISLOYALTY TO THE MAX AND EVERY1 HATES PIGLOSI!

  279. 279.

    Mary G

    “We are at our best when we focus, not on retribution…” Yeah, right. I want retribution, in spades.

    Republicans seem incapable of shame, or losing gracefully.

  281. 281.

    Elizabelle

    @rikyrah: That’s a good start.

    I still want to see Trump get dragged into this mess. Maybe this is the stick, and the carrot will be cooperation as to his work on behalf of Trump and the Trump Organization.

    However it turns out, rooting out corruption is good.

  284. 284.

    Fair Economist

    McCarthy saying “now is not the time for retribution” is the height of hypocrisy – and even garden variety Republican hypocrisy is like the Himalayas.

  286. 286.

    Emerald

    Nancy can smash McCarthy’s comment about Republicans always voting for personal freedom over government control. Use it to take their government restrictions on voting away, so that more Americans can have personal freedom.

    Ha.

  289. 289.

    Gin & Tonic

    @rikyrah: Well, maybe not so much of a thunderbolt after that day a month or two ago when the FBI went into his office, threw everybody out, locked the door and covered all the windows with butcher’s paper. That wasn’t a social call.

  291. 291.

    Elizabelle

    So, Nancy Smash is saying generous things about all the Congress, and Kevin McCarthy and cut to him and he is …. reading his smartphone.

    So she says his name, out LOUD, and he tunes back in as he is being thanked.

  292. 292.

    Suzanne

    I have so much schadenfreude right now. I have visions of Nancy Smash beating Kevin McCarthy with that gavel.

    SMAAAAAASH!!!

  296. 296.

    hilts

    @Elizabelle:

    Kevin McCarthy and cut to him and he is reading his smartphone

    Keep in mind that McCarthy is paralyzed from the neck up. There are precious few IQ points separating McCarthy from Trump.

  297. 297.

    Elizabelle

    Tony Bennett looks remarkable.

    NDP says he helped free the concentration camps, and marched with MLK. Did not know that.

  302. 302.

    Spanky

    @Elizabelle: I think I’m just going to start going to go with “CWAA” from here on out since I’d wear out my keyboard typing “Christ! What an asshole!” all the time.

  303. 303.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Punchy: But the Dems who voted present where actually helping her. The present votes simply lower the majority threshold she needed. Because they voted present, she only needed 214 to get elected as Speaker.

  304. 304.

    Mary G

    The Republicans are lucky they could bring their kids – otherwise it would be an even more stark contrast between the sea of mostly old white guys in dark suits against the rainbow of women and POC in bright clothing.

  305. 305.

    Elizabelle

    Climate crisis. The middle class. All the important things not addressed during the last Congress’s tonguebathing of Trump and their donors.

  308. 308.

    hilts

    @Elizabelle:

    Also too, given Kevin McCarthy’s exceedingly limited mental capacity it’s weird seeing his name and “smartphone” in the same sentence. It might be more accurate to have written that McCarthy was reading from his electronic device that can make phone calls and accomplish other tasks.

  309. 309.

    chris

    someone asked for a curse list?

    Final anti-Pelosi Dem list:Brindisi (Biden)Cooper (present)Crow (Duckworth)Cunningham (Bustos)Golden (Bustos)Kind (Lewis)Lamb (Kennedy)McAdams (Murphy)Rice (Abrams)Rose (Duckworth)Schrader (Fudge)Sherrill (Bustos)Slotkin (present)Spanberger (Bustos)Van Drew (“no")— Cameron Joseph (@cam_joseph) 3 January 2019

  310. 310.

    Marcopolo

    @Adam L Silverman: Yeah, good to remember that the initial “Pelosi protest letter” had 16 signatories & did not include all the folks who “had issues” with voting for her. Losing only 15 votes seems pretty good to me.

  312. 312.

    Yarrow

    CNN just showed a worker putting her “Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi” sign over her office door. Yes!

  313. 313.

    Yutsano

    @Yarrow: Sshhh…let the nonna have her fun. Call me crazy but I get the feeling she’s been waiting to get that gavel back for a long time. And after she gives the new kids master classes in how power works, she can go back to San Francisco/Baltimore happily retired and ready for the great grandkids.

  316. 316.

    Schlemazel

    I really hate the constant stream of standing O’s. I resent the hell out of it during the SOtU. It ultimatly trivializes the whole process

  317. 317.

    Elizabelle

    @hilts: Agreed. And I used “smartphone” as one would Rick Perry’s smart glasses.

    Would have typed in iPhone, but I have no idea what brand Kevin McCarthy uses.

    Mainly noticed that he was not listening to Nancy Pelosi or giving her attention. Until she called him out, kinda.

    And a second shout out to Ronald Reagan. This time by Nancy Smash. Get tired of him being quoted from as from a Founding Father. Tiresome, tiresome.

    I think we now speak of GHW Bush; the ADA. I thought she might be bringing up Saint McCain with the lying in state part …

  320. 320.

    Marcopolo

    So I gotta head off but want to leave y’all with this wonder clip of AOC dancing/goofing off in high school (she is parodying Ally Sheedy’s character in the Breakfast Club.

    Some right wing idiots think it makes her look bad for some reason. Probably because they do not understand actual human emotions. Anyways, AOC’s exuberance in the clip is how I feel about Pelosi taking the gavel.

    https://mobile.twitter.com/DavidKlion/status/1080903506545070083

  329. 329.

    HeleninEire

    “And crown thy good with brotherhood – and sisterhood- from sea to shining sea” oh yes.

    Aaand CNN asshole asks how Nancy can fuck this up.

  331. 331.

    Adam L Silverman

    @MazeDancer: Also, Ben Franklin and the rest of the founders and framers weren’t concerned with freedom, what they wanted to ensure was, to use their own terminology, “ordered liberty”. There is a difference between liberty and freedom to begin with. And there is certainly a major difference between ordered liberty and freedom. The founders and framers were actually scared of freedom as they equated it with an almost anarchic quality.

  333. 333.

    jonas

    @Elizabelle: Yeah, NY-22 is quite purple — Brindisi squeaked out a win against Tenney, but it was less due to Brindisi’s campaigning than to the fact that even a lot of Republicans around here really couldn’t stand her and probably just left the Rep slot blank or voted for some wacky third-party candidate. She was a very, very unappealing politician with absolutely 0 charm, even if you agreed with her positions. She spent most of the campaign tying to characterize Brindisi as a supine lackey of the feared Cuomo-Pelosi socialist Cthulu-beast. Not surprised that he’s styling himself out of the gate as an “independent Democrat.” We shouldn’t be piling on otherwise good Democrats for sometimes staking out positions that play better in their home districts than they might in Boston or San Francisco, if that’s what gets them re-elected. Brindisi is a perfectly solid Democrat.

  334. 334.

    Gin & Tonic

    The Twitter machine tells me that my Congressman, Jim Langevin, has been picked as the first speaker pro tem. Except I don’t know what that is or does. But it highlights accessibility, as Langevin is a quadriplegic.

  336. 336.

    HeleninEire

    Stupid CNN lady CANNOT believe that no Native American has ever served in the Congress. Now there are TWO!!!!!!

    OK I gotta turn this shit off. Or get more beer.

  337. 337.

    Schlemazel

    I am stunned she has to constantly ask “whats next?” would have thought she has seen a few of these and/or would have a script

  338. 338.

    Elizabelle

    @HeleninEire: Go with C-Span. You lose brain cells watching CNN or cable news. With few exceptions. Not all the empty headed “got to say something to open my mouth” crap.

  348. 348.

    VeniceRiley

    @Gin & Tonic: They sit in the chair and move the business of the speaker when the spaker isn’t at the podium. It’s a big deal as he is the first quadrapaliegic to be elected, and the podium area has been made ada compliant.

  350. 350.

    Fair Economist

    @Cheap Jim: No, the Republicans are proposing their own officers *except* for the chaplain, who they are not contesting.

    And they lost, of course.

  351. 351.

    CaseyL

    @Cheap Jim: I’m not precisely sure, but since they also put forth an entire spate of other candidates for the administrative posts, I think that may have been a pro forma effort.

  352. 352.

    suffragettecity

    Thanks so much for the link. We cut cable awhile ago so cspan is a distant memory.
    Anyone else tear up when she called the children to accompany her at the podium for the swearing in? Not sure I understand why, but I did.

  354. 354.

    Adam L Silverman

    @HeleninEire: There is actually no disrespect. Once the 115th Congress adjourned in December, barring it being called back into emergency session, he was functionally no longer a member of Congress. At noon today he was officially no longer a member of Congress. So there was no reason, nor need for him to be there.

  359. 359.

    bookdragon

    @Elizabelle: That grandson is cute. And awfully comfortable up there. wouldn’t surprise me if he follows in his Nana’s footsteps someday.

  360. 360.

    Gravenstone

    @MazeDancer:

    WTF with GOP choose Personal Freedom over Gov Control? Like controlling women’s bodies?

    Simple. Women aren’t “persons” in their world.

  361. 361.

    Quinerly

    @HeleninEire: pretty sure there have been several men who were/are Native American who have served. Hell, I think Tom Cole of Oklahoma is considered Native American.

  362. 362.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Elizabelle: It won’t. McConnell made it clear this morning he will bring no legislation to the floor of the Senate in the 116th Congress unless the President has stated clearly he’ll sign it into law. And since the President told everyone three weeks ago that he’d sign the CR and then reneged on that promise, Senator McConnell will bring no legislation to the floor at all in the 116th Congress.

  364. 364.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Gin & Tonic:
    https://definitions.uslegal.com/s/speaker-pro-tempore/

    The Speaker Pro Tempore, meaning “temporary speaker”, is a legislative office on the federal and state levels. The Speaker Pro Tempore of the House of Representives is selected by the majority party caucus. The duties of this office are primarily to fill the role of presiding officer of the House in the absence of the Speaker of the House. The Speaker Pro Tempore is of the majority party leadership team by tradition.

  365. 365.

    HeleninEire

    @Elizabelle: LOL didn’t turn it off (as I went for more beer) and here’s the cryon when I got back “Apple cites sales estimate, blames China” WTF? THEY BLAMED THE US TARRIFFS.

  370. 370.

    Yutsano

    @BeautifulPlumage: @Elizabelle: He wasn’t on the roil call. I’m guessing he already got the word to not bother. It’s not even certified in North Carolina yet so the credentials haven’t made it to the House. And last I heard the new board hadn’t been reconvened yet. So that might not get resolved for a while yet.

  372. 372.

    Enhanced Voting Techniques

    @Adam L Silverman:

    The founders and framers were actually scared of freedom as they equated it with an almost anarchic quality.

    They did have the example of English Civil War that freedom can mean “free to act like danger to the public” and, well, we have Trump…

  374. 374.

    Marcopolo

    @Yutsano: Steny Hoyer already said the D majority would not seat Harris as they consider it a fraudulent election. Here’s a guess as to how this plays out:

    1) The NC State Board of Elections was dissolved last week by a 3 judge panel (because of lawsuits over whether the R NC lege had the authority to strip NCSBOE appointment powers from the D Gov). So right now there is currently no NCSBOE official to sit in on the evidentiary hearings regarding NC 9 election fraud that are scheduled to take place next week.

    2) A new NCSBOE is in the process of being appointed. It will have 5 members. The Gov gets 3 appointees, the opposition party 2. Gov Cooper said he is appointing his three folks this week. So then there will be NCSBOE folks available to hear the evidence of fraud presented next week. Depending on what is presented, the NCSBOE normally would have the power to call for a new election. However the Rs have said they will refuse to appoint anyone to the NCSBOE and since you need 4 votes to call for a new election, the 3 member board won’t be able to do that. But they will have the evidence from the hearing.

    3) They can pass that evidence onto the US House of Reps or the House can ask them to send the evidence to them and then the House can call for a new election in NC-9. That is the most likely outcome–who knows how long it will take for that process to play out.

    4) There will be various court challenges to all of this from the Rs who are demanding Harris be seated now but it is unlikely they will prevail.

    Yep, a complicated mess.

  375. 375.

    Yutsano

    @Marcopolo: As some smart guy on this here blog likes to say, there will be lawyers. But yeah I don’t see this resolving any time soon.

  378. 378.

    Elizabelle

    @Marcopolo: And the NC GOP whackmouths are trying to complain that Democrats are cheating the process. And setting up the Board of Election is kind of complicated, since the rightwing state legislature tries to bigfoot everything. At the moment, it’s set for January 31. Lege did not expect to have a contested seat that needs attention, right away.

    @Yutsano: Was reading up on the Mark Harris stuff in NC, and the NC Republicans are still going scorched earth. Hope this blows back terribly on them.

    The original State Board of Elections has been dissolved. The Democratic Governor, Roy Cooper, has the power to appoint 3 new members, with the GOP choosing another two.

    To which the GOP fuckers say: we won’t appoint ANY. Trying to make it look like it’s a Dem power grab. Mind you, after they are the fuckers who cheated to win the office.

    You cannot make things up for these GOP mouthpieces. WaPost from yesterday: GOP congressional candidate says he will ask N.C. court to certify his victory as election officials delay fraud hearing

    A new board will be formed on Jan. 31 under legislation passed last month.

    Gov. Roy Cooper (D) initially announced plans to constitute an interim board in the meantime. The governor has the power to appoint all five of the board’s members, with three from a list provided by his party and two from the opposing party.

    But Cooper backed away from that move Wednesday after state Republicans said they would not participate in naming new members — which would have left the panel as an all-Democratic board, giving the GOP an opening to dismiss its findings as partisan.

    “Quickly rooting out real election fraud should be a bipartisan effort,” Cooper said in the statement. “Today in North Carolina, we have a Board of Elections with five empty chairs because Republicans are blocking the way.”

    North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Robin Hayes said in a statement that the party’s unwillingness to support an interim board “results from a desire to ensure that any future investigation surrounding the Ninth Congressional District election is open, fair, and transparent, and not tainted by actions taken by an illegal board.”

    This makes me want to slap Robin Hayes. Hard.

    It would be my preference that, rather than a new election (with low turnout, most likely) they award the Congressional seat to the Democrat who was narrowly defeated, 905 votes, likely by fraud.

    Not a new election. Award the seat to the candidate who. did. not. cheat. Don’t give the GOP a do-over, with a fresh Republican. Who gets a fresh start, and a low turnout election.

    Someone needs to smack these criminals around. I would like to see fraud participants go to jail, and face whacking fines, too.

  379. 379.

    Luthe

    @Adam L Silverman: We have really got to codify, on both federal and state levels, a clear and simple procedure for holding new elections when there is evidence of fraud, vote-tampering, foreign interference, etc. Hell, considering Florida, there should be new elections any time a manual recount is botched. Our system of blithely allowing politicians whose elections are of questionable legitimacy to continue to serve is not particularly sustainable.

  380. 380.

    James E Powell

    @Schlemazel:

    I really hate the constant stream of standing O’s. I resent the hell out of it during the SOtU. It ultimatly trivializes the whole process

    Same here. It’s too soviet for me.

  381. 381.

    MCA1

    @Miss Bianca: Dead thread now, but wait, why the fuck would someone vote for a sitting Senator for Speaker of the House? What am I missing there? I get that some might not want to vote for Pelosi, but a Senator? What’s the point they’re trying to make?

  382. 382.

    Captain C

    @Elizabelle:

    Which is why they are all hiding behind Liz Cheney’s skirts.

    I briefly misread this as “they are all looking up Liz Cheney’s skirts.” Which, come to think of it, is entirely possible for that crew.

  383. 383.

    Miss Bianca

    Beat the fuck out of me. But that would be my question: Rep. Crow, are you stoned, or just stupid?

  384. 384.

    J R in WV

    @tarragon:

    I’m disappointed, Republican, not pirate.

    Are you crazy? You have to be a pirate to be admitted to the Republican party!!

  385. 385.

    Adam L Silverman

    @Elizabelle: What the NC GOP wants to avoid is a full and proper investigation that brings all the facts into the light of day. The reason for that is that such an investigation will show that the NC GOP used this and other absentee ballot fraudster’s services widely. Even against other Republicans as this guy apparently was utilized the Republican incumbent in that district in the primary. He’s worked for the sheriff in one of the counties in that district as well. And, I’m fairly certain, if a proper investigation is done, that it will disclose that this guy was either running or tied into a statewide network of people doing this same type of absentee ballot fraud on behalf of the NC GOP and its preferred candidates all across the state. I’m guessing it will also tie into the NC GOP legal operative who Senator Tim Scott blocked from a Federal court judgeship last December. It will also raise uncomfortable questions about the US Attorney as Pastor Harris’s son works as an Assistant US Attorney in the US Attorney’s Office that appears to have buried the complaints and quashed a Federal investigation into what was going on. Robin Hayes and Dallas Woodhouse are trying to save their own butts, as well as those of dozens of other North Carolina GOP elected and appointed officials.

  390. 390.

    Elizabelle

    @Adam L Silverman: The FTF NY Times story (a few weeks back) assured us relentlessly that “the operative” in Bladen County worked for Democrats and Republicans.

    But it’s pretty much Republicans in the cross hairs here. If you turn up some corrupt Democrats, so it goes.

    Let’s keep a close eye on how this plays out. Thank Dog for Roy Cooper. And having all that experience as Attorney General, he will know how to direct this.

  391. 391.

    J R in WV

    @Adam L Silverman:

    Yeah, I know, but the modern concept of pirates as bloodthirsty murdering thieves relates to my picture of modern Republicans pretty well. Lots of modern concepts of many things don’t relate to actual history very well.

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