GOP-Controlled House Seeks to Quell Floor 'Disruptions' With Fines and Penalties

[boutons_deux]

Republican rules designed to 'silence opposition,' one Democrat charges

Democratic lawmakers are reportedly "apoplectic" over a proposed new House rules package that would impose fines and potential ethics violations on members who "disrupt" chamber proceedings.

The proposal, seen by Bloomberg, is seemingly designed to prevent another sit-in like the one about 40 Democrats staged this summer after the Orlando nightclub shooting.

According to Bloomberg:

[M]embers could face a $500 fine through deductions to their paychecks for a first offense of using electronic photography or audio or visual recording, as well as for broadcasting from the chamber’s floor. A $2,500 fine would be leveled for the next such offense and each subsequent violation.

The new rules also clarify which conduct is to be deemed disorderly or disruptive during floor proceedings, including blocking access by other members to microphones or what is known as "the well"—the front of the chamber.

Such action could lead to potential referral to the Committee on Ethics and sanctions against members, according to an accompanying section-by-section analysis of the new rules package.

http://www.commondreams.org/news/201...-and-penalties

Authoritarian Repugs criminalizing dissent. Our Way, or You

[boutons_deux]

Another Repug

Washington Republican proposes charging protestors with 'economic terrorism'

A Republican state lawmaker who was an outspoken supporter of President-elect Donald Trump is proposing a bill that would allow authorities to charge protesters with committing "economic terrorism."

“I respect the right to protest, but when it endangers people’s lives and property, it goes too far,” Washington state Sen. Doug Ericksen said in a statement.

“Fear, intimidation and vandalism are not a legitimate form of political expression. Those who employ it must be called to account.

“We are not just going after the people who commit these acts of terrorism,” he added. “We are going after the people who fund them. Wealthy donors should not feel safe in disrupting middle-class jobs.”

The proposed bill would make protesting a class C felony should it cause any sort of "economic disruption" or "jeopardize human life and property." Such a proposal would mean violators could face five years in prison, a $10,000 fine or both.

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefi...omic-terrorism

"economic terrorism"?

here's some real Repug economic terrorism:

tax cuts for the wealthy and BigCorp, tax raises for the poor, cutting Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, etc, etc.

And AG-wannabe Sessions is all for civil forfeiture.

[FromWayDowntown]

USA, 2017. Dissent is now both unwelcome and punishable. True American values.

[CosmicCowboy]

That being said, pointless Congressional sit in's are pretty stupid.

[boutons_deux]

That being said, pointless Congressional sit in's are pretty stupid.

Nobody outside of Congress would know how anti-democratic the Repugs are without grandstanding Dem-onstrations.

[CosmicCowboy]

Nobody outside of Congress would know how anti-democratic the Repugs are without grandstanding Dem-onstrations.

Like the party in power hasn't been doing this for 200 years.

Harry Reid was a prime example of party in power abuse.

[Winehole23]

bush league

[boutons_deux]

Like the party in power hasn't been doing this for 200 years.

Harry Reid was a prime example of party in power abuse.