The bill, H.R. 1255, was approved over bitter Democratic opposition in a 221-202 vote in which no Democrats supported it, and 15 Republicans opposed it.



Several Democrats argued that the measure is unconstitutional, charging that it would "deem" that the 2011 spending bill, H.R. 1, has the force of law if the Senate fails to act. Some Democrats seized on the floor comments from Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), who broke with his party and said on the floor that this aspect of the bill "violates my conscious and the Constitution, and I cannot vote for it."



Republicans voting "no" were Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Michael Burgess (Texas), Jason Chaffetz (Utah), Jeff Fortenberry (Neb.), Louie Gohmert (Texas), Richard Hanna (NY), Walter Jones (NC), Dan Lungren (Calif.), Tom McClintock (Calif.), Thaddeus McCotter (Mich.), Ron Paul (Texas), Ted Poe (Texas), Reid Ribble (Wis.), Dana Rohrabacher (Calif.), and James Sensenbrenner (Wis.). Rep. Blake Farenthold (R-Texas) was the only member of the House to vote "present."



Democratic leaders echoed Gohmert throughout the day, and argued that the prospect of deeming H.R. 1 as U.S. law is a serious violation of the founding document of the United States.



"What you see on the floor today is no example of Democracy in action," House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) said. "It's silly. The Republican leadership is asking its members to make a silly vote."



"April Fools, America," House Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) said. "This is a joke, America. This is not real, America."

For those who were distraught to find out that Alan Grayson was taking some time off from representing working families in Congress for a couple years, there was always quick understudy Anthony Weiner to look to. Friday he lived up:What was it all about? Cantor and his Confederate colleagues are under the bizarre impression-- and narrowly passed a resolution to that effect Friday-- that if the Senate doesn't pass their spending bill by April 6, their spending bill becomes the law of the land. Weiner may have been a little sharp with the poor boys and girls, but they reallyneed to read House Mouse/Senate Mouse or, perhaps take a little course in American Government 101 Others suggested that Cantor and his pals watch theclassic:Of course, they might feel more familiar with this version:By the way, Weinerlives up. I hope you saw him at the Congressional Correspondents' Dinner last week. Or, earlier, going back and forth with Republican presidential frontrunner/Fox pitchman Mike Huckabee and defending ordinary Americans against a propaganda barrage from delusional far right extremists Sean Hannity and Michele Bachmann.

Labels: Anthony Weiner, Cantor