Most Open, Honest and Ethical Congress in History Update - UPDATE: Republicans Have Had Enough

NOTE: Originally posted at 12:35 PM. Significance of UPDATES 2 and 3 caused timestamp change.

This just in from a Congressional source...

A short while ago, Democrats attempted to ram through the utterly partisan contempt resolution during the memorial service for the late Rep. Tom Lantos. Democrats who are in charge of the House and control the floor decided to open it up for legislative business before the service had concluded, contradicting earlier assurances that business would be postponed so Members could honor Rep. Lantos’ life and work. An adjournment vote was consequently called to prevent Democrats using the service as a means to ram through their partisan agenda.

Completely and utterly disgusting...but not unexpected. The 110th Congress, under the proud leadership of the Democrats, have managed to find a way to turn the death of one of their own in to yet another display of disgusting partisan politics.

UPDATE: Michael Steel:

"This morning, during the memorial service for Tom Lantos - a public servant beloved on both sides of the aisle - the House Democratic Leadership violated an agreement and called the House back into session. They took this action despite clearly understanding that it would trigger a series of procedural motions. This cheap, cynical political move seems to have been designed to shut down one of the few procedural tools that can be employed by the minority party in the House. Playing this sort of game during the memorial service of a great and good man is beneath the dignity of this House and should be beneath the dignity of Democratic Leaders." – Michael Steel

UPDATE 2: This just in from another Congressional source:

House Republicans leave the floor. We protest the Democrats refusal to pass (or even debate) the bipartisan, senate-passed FISA legislation. Meanwhile, the Democrats are debating the merits of former White House staff. Thus, we have left the floor in protest.

Sounds like Democrats are back to business as usual... What is this "change" thing I keep hearing about?

UPDATE 3: More details on update 2...

Leader Boehner is closing debate on the Contempt Resolution. Following all debate, Republicans will ask for a Rule Vote only. All Republican Members are advised to WALK-OUT of the Chamber together. Members are asked to NOT VOTE on the Rule. Republicans, as a united Conference, will then hold a press conference on the front steps.

UPDATE 4: Here is how the "objective 527 media is playing it so far (AP News Alert):

WASHINGTON (AP) The House has voted to hold White House chief of staff Josh Bolten and former counsel Harriet Miers in contempt for not complying with subpoenas over the firing of U.S. attorneys.

UPDATE 5: Amanda Carpenter, over at TownHall, may have what is behind all of this mess:

As Congress debates giving immunity to phone companies that assisted the government in tracking terrorist communications, trial lawyers prosecuting those phone companies have poured money into the coffers of Democratic senators, representatives and causes.

Court records and campaign contribution data reveal that 66 trial lawyers representing plaintiffs in lawsuits against these phone companies donated at least $1.5 million to 44 different current Democratic senators and Democratic causes.

Where the Democrats are concerned, all you have to do is follow the money...

UPDATE 6: Rep. Eric Cantor on the walk out:

"Our intelligence agencies need the tools necessary to listen in on terrorists who threaten and plot to do harm to our country. The Senate worked together in a bipartisan fashion earlier this week to accomplish this goal, but the House Democrat Leadership refuses to do the same. It Al-Qaeda is talking, we should be able to listen. Today, House Republicans stood up and demanded that Washington work for the people again."

UPDATE 7: Republican Leader, my Congressman and a Great American -- John Boehner -- on the walkout via The Hill:

At a press conference following the walkout, Boehner said “Before Congress leaves town, we must give our intelligence officials the tools they need to keep America safe.

“The president will delay his trip to Africa to deal with this critical issue. And Republicans are prepared to stay here as long as it takes to complete our work,” Boehner added. “The terrorist threat to our country is not going away. We must do everything we can to protect the American people, and we should start by passing the bipartisan Senate bill.”

UPDATE 8: More Boehner:

“Intelligence officials have asked Congress to provide them all the tools they need to protect us, but the Democratic Majority has turned a deaf ear. Instead of working with Republicans and Blue Dog Democrats to protect our country by passing the bipartisan Senate FISA modernization bill, the Majority turned the House floor into the scene of a partisan political stunt. These irresponsible actions will not make America safer, and they will not help us prevent attacks on our country. That alone should be our chief priority.

“President Bush has announced that he would delay his trip to Africa to sign a long-term FISA modernization into law. House Republicans are ready to stay in town as long as it takes to get that measure to his desk. But we will not stand idly by and watch the floor of the United States House of Representatives be abused for pure, political grandstanding at the expense of our national security.

“The American people sent us here to get things done on their behalf – without regard to party affiliation. We’ve already shown this year, with passage of the economic growth package, that we can get things done when the Majority reaches out and works with Republicans in a bipartisan way. It is unfortunate that the Majority has not demonstrated the same spirit of bipartisanship when it comes to our national security. The terrorist threat to our country is not going away. We must do everything we can to protect the American people, and we should start by passing the bipartisan Senate bill.”