Democratic Rebellion on Climate Change Rule Sets New Disloyalty Mark

By Jonathan Allen | June 26, 2009 1:59 PM | | Comments (0)

The 30 Democrats who voted against the rule governing debate on the climate change bill (HR 2454) represent a new high for disloyalty on a rule this year, perhaps a troubling sign for Democratic leaders who rely on unity on such procedural votes to maintain control of the floor.

The past high was 27 "no" votes, a level reached twice in the past 10 days -- on the Commerce-Justice-Science appropriations bill (HR 2847) and the defense authorization bill (HR 2647).

Before that, it was 26 votes on the rule for a mortgage loan modification bill in late February. That rule vote was a signal to House Democratic leaders that they weren't going to get the necessary support to pass the mortgage bill. They pulled it from the floor and made some changes to win the votes they needed the following week.

Whether the climate bill passes or not, the increasing boldness of the Democratic rank-and-file can't be a welcome sign for Democratic leaders.

They say they that they are close to having the votes needed to pass the climate change bill and the controversial cap-and-trade system it contains.

"We're getting there," House Majority Whip James E. Clyburn, D-S.C., said.

Some of the 30 members who voted against the rule were protesting the procedure used to bring the bill to the floor and are likely to vote for the measure, according to Democratic lawmakers. But there are procedural loyalists who supported the rule even though they will vote against the bill.

Generally speaking, the leadership treats votes on rules as essential tests of party loyalty, and members risk retribution for straying from the line. They seldom take lightly an open rebellion against leaders, who determine committee assignments, the scheduling of a member's bills, party support for lawmakers' re-election efforts and even room assignments within the Capitol.

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Categories: House

Tags: Leadership

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