One’s On the Way
If you’re a House junkie, which I must admit shamefully that I am, seeing your favorite drama queens on the House floor, and watching them all jockey for a few more minutes on the Tee Vee outside the chamber, is part of the fun of today’s proceedings.
Though there’s a lot of competition for this title, I’d say that the biggest prima donna in the House is Loretta Sanchez, who represents the D+4 district CA-47. Loretta was always a pretty safe “Yes” vote, but she stirred up some excitement today when it appeared for a short moment that she might hang out at a Florida fundraiser instead of coming back to DC to vote.
Of course that was bullshit. Would someone who sends out Christmas cards like these miss the most important vote she’ll ever take?
(By the way, trivia fans, Loretta’s the only House member in history to serve with her sister, the more progressive and less dramatic Linda (CA-39).)
March 21, 2010 10:04 pm
Posted in: Beer Blogging, Cat Blogging, Massa Massage, Starbursts
116 Comments
116 Responses
Brian J - March 21, 2010 | 10:08 pm · Link
Why is Boehner such a douche? Has the tanning bed fried his brain?
JGabriel - March 21, 2010 | 10:08 pm · Link
Boehner’s excited.
.
robertdsc - March 21, 2010 | 10:09 pm · Link
Her cat’s name is Gretzky. Lulz.
Her sister Linda is my rep. Love her. <3
me - March 21, 2010 | 10:09 pm · Link
Do it Brother Boner.
Cat Lady - March 21, 2010 | 10:10 pm · Link
Maybe she was surfing the Appalachian Trail?
She doesn’t want to fuck with The Nancy today. No. She. Doesn’t.
eemom - March 21, 2010 | 10:12 pm · Link
No-Boner looks like he’s had the orange sucked right out of him.
JGabriel - March 21, 2010 | 10:12 pm · Link
Did Boehner get his hair from a Devo surplus outlet?
.
Shaun - March 21, 2010 | 10:13 pm · Link
there’s something fishy with the logic here.
salacious crumb - March 21, 2010 | 10:14 pm · Link
Boehner is so hopping mad he’s gonna poop and pop his orange head.
Brian J - March 21, 2010 | 10:14 pm · Link
Did Boehner seriously suggest that the Democrats locked the Republicans out of the legislative process? Maybe I am hallucinating, but that’s what I thought him say.
If that’s the case, he’s so far gone from this world, he’s never coming back.
JGabriel - March 21, 2010 | 10:15 pm · Link
Nancy’s up!
.
mai naem - March 21, 2010 | 10:17 pm · Link
What???? How come Nancy Pelosi doesn’t have the Nazi armband on? Where’s the hammer and sickle tattoo?
Mike Kay - March 21, 2010 | 10:17 pm · Link
Man, check out that pussy.
JGabriel - March 21, 2010 | 10:18 pm · Link
Did the Republicans just boo the president?
Why do they hate America?
.
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:18 pm · Link
Nancy!
Mike Kay - March 21, 2010 | 10:19 pm · Link
Man, check out Loretta’s puszy
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:20 pm · Link
@JGabriel:
President is a Real American. So technically, they don’t hate America. Wingnut logic. See how easy it is?
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:20 pm · Link
Pelosi is a far better speaker than the Oompa-loompa.
slag - March 21, 2010 | 10:20 pm · Link
Pelosiiiiiiiii!
Bob K - March 21, 2010 | 10:21 pm · Link
Finally – a photo from today in D.C. that doesn’t make me want to hurl.
http://wonkette.com/414359/a-c.....t#comments
Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill - March 21, 2010 | 10:21 pm · Link
Note to Agent Orange: I know you meant the word “comity”, but sounding like you’re saying “bring comedy to the House floor” shows a…well, the same subtly of wit you’re brought to the whole damned debate.
mistermix - March 21, 2010 | 10:22 pm · Link
I think Nancy’s taken more than a minute for her speech. I’m waiting for a point of order, under House rule 12 (a) subchapter 3 (b) saying that the do-over clause is now active and we need 10 minutes of debate on each side before a vote on the point of order.
carlos the dwarf - March 21, 2010 | 10:22 pm · Link
Nancy! Nancy! Nancy! Nancy!
TR - March 21, 2010 | 10:22 pm · Link
Wait, I was led to believe Nancy Pelosi was constantly devouring newborn babies and lighting the American flag on fire.
El Cid - March 21, 2010 | 10:22 pm · Link
The Orange Boner is shriveling in Nancy’s presence.
Oily Taint - March 21, 2010 | 10:23 pm · Link
Yeah, Shaun, it’s kind of glaring. Let’s time him…
Nicole - March 21, 2010 | 10:23 pm · Link
After watching the Dems’ futile attempts at wooing the other side, as the vote draws close, I dedicate this to the GOP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_50-gOeBilc
SGEW - March 21, 2010 | 10:23 pm · Link
All politics is personal!
Can I just say how extraordinary it is to see Madam Speaker say that?
Just . . . yeah.
Nicole - March 21, 2010 | 10:24 pm · Link
After watching the Dems’ futile attempts at wooing the other side over the past year, as the vote draws close, I dedicate this to the GOP:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_50-gOeBilc
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:24 pm · Link
Has Balloon Juice slowed down to a crawl for anyone else?
geg6 - March 21, 2010 | 10:25 pm · Link
Madame Speaker…I love her. Love her, love, love, love her. Love.
Mike Kay - March 21, 2010 | 10:25 pm · Link
Uh-Oh!
Nancy broke the internets
eemom - March 21, 2010 | 10:25 pm · Link
Nancy, we’re in DC…....will you marry me?
demo woman - March 21, 2010 | 10:26 pm · Link
@JGabriel: I did not see that..fortunately, I just put on cnn online when Nancy was speaking.
Nicole - March 21, 2010 | 10:26 pm · Link
@Woodrow “asim” Jarvis Hill: I heard the same thing, and all I could think was that the GOP has been bringing the comedy all day. I know I laughed a lot.
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:26 pm · Link
@Violet: Yes, we broke Balloon Juice.
mr. whipple - March 21, 2010 | 10:26 pm · Link
@Violet:
Yes.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 10:27 pm · Link
Pelosi is doing acknowledgements. Nice. Don’t see many other reps thanking other people. Maybe if Pelosi did a beach shot in a photo studio? Sanchez knows a good picture when someone tells her.
KRK - March 21, 2010 | 10:27 pm · Link
@Violet: Me too. As soon as Pelosi started talking.
AhabTRuler - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
OK, those little throat chuckles she just let slip into the mic are kinda scary, but I love me some Madame Speaker of the House.
AkaDad - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
Y e s.
tammanycall - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
Teddy’s name & I tear up. Damn.
C. Banana - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
@Violet:
Yeah, I had about ten minutes when the site wouldn’t load.
carlos the dwarf - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
Balloon Juice is broken, but health care will soon be fixed! (Partially.)
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:28 pm · Link
@Omnes Omnibus: @mr. whipple:
At least it’s not just me. Thanks.
We’re a bunch of political junkies. “What did you do on Sunday?” “Oh, I watched C-Span all day.” “Sounds like a great day!”
jeffreyw - March 21, 2010 | 10:29 pm · Link
@Violet: yup
SIA - March 21, 2010 | 10:29 pm · Link
Great remarks by Ms Pelosi. You go girlfriend. Being a woman is no longer a per-existing condition. Hell yeah!
cincyanon - March 21, 2010 | 10:30 pm · Link
She was trying to hold her fire for the real debate. Healthcare was easy. Dental care is where all the action is going to be.
SIA - March 21, 2010 | 10:30 pm · Link
Great remarks by Ms Pelosi. You go girlfriend. Being a woman is no longer a pre-existing condition. Hell yeah!
Bootlegger - March 21, 2010 | 10:30 pm · Link
200 amendments, now that’s the largest “shut out” in history.
Veteran, Great War of Yankee Aggression - March 21, 2010 | 10:30 pm · Link
Loretta is my Congresscritter. I am relatively new to the district, lived here just under two years; so I dunno what was up with her today.
The district is mixed Hispanic/ Vietnamese/ Other, mostly working class. She won her last election with 60%.
All of which adds up to a big WTF for me. Unless there were some federal funds that she needed to extract.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 10:30 pm · Link
Pelosi shouts out to John Lewis! Yes! She is exhausted but damn that is nice. Big “you ain’t a thang” to Republicans too.
Annie - March 21, 2010 | 10:31 pm · Link
After listening to an awesome Nancy, we are reminded that when it comes to a safety net for all Americans, from kiddies to seniors, it is the Democratic party that has delivered…
demo woman - March 21, 2010 | 10:31 pm · Link
It’s hard not to tear up.. This has been a long time coming.
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:31 pm · Link
Delaying tactics…
Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill - March 21, 2010 | 10:32 pm · Link
And Here…We…Go.
rob! - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
I’d rather have my tax dollars go to forced-at-gunpoint abortions or bombing one of those “I” countries than to that Christmas card.
Bootlegger - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
Here we go. I kinda wish the gutless Dems had taken Boner’s challenge and conducted a voice vote.
James K. Polk, Esq. - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
Can the dems snatch defeat from teh jaws of victory?
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
Counts… I’m nervous… She’s got the votes…right?
KDP - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
@JGabriel: I heard that.
And, yes, Balloon-Juice got brokeded.
Vote in progress, we’re up to 164 Ayes in first 90 seconds.
I’m confused though. If they are voting on HR3290, why did the recorder read the title of a different bill for extending first-time home buyer’s credit for people in the military? Or did I hear incorrectly?
Up to 181. come on, come on, come on. Where are those last 35 votes? Can’t they do this faster?
Camchuck - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
Place your bets…
221
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:33 pm · Link
I can’t believe I am watching the vote count….
General Egali Tarian Stuck - March 21, 2010 | 10:34 pm · Link
Charlie says pass the damn bill. And suck an egg wingnuts.
Mike Kay - March 21, 2010 | 10:34 pm · Link
@Bootlegger: that would take 2 fucking hours.
Mike E - March 21, 2010 | 10:34 pm · Link
Boehner gets cock-blocked on a roll call vote. My Guinness is nearly at optimum temperature.
Snarky Pickles - March 21, 2010 | 10:34 pm · Link
I see one of the ‘baggers outside the Capitol today was carrying a sign with MLK’s famous quote, “Of all forms of inequality, injustice in healthcare is the most shocking and inhumane.”
See the gal at 0:17, with the maroon sign on the left.
Stay classy, ‘baggers. Don’t ever change.
General Egali Tarian Stuck - March 21, 2010 | 10:35 pm · Link
224
PeakVT - March 21, 2010 | 10:35 pm · Link
Ok, who broke C-Span? I can’t even get the audio stream.
Sasha - March 21, 2010 | 10:35 pm · Link
@Nicole:
I’ll see that and raise you this:
“We Are the Champions”
Also include GOP-conniption-inducing potential homoeroticism.
SIA - March 21, 2010 | 10:35 pm · Link
I’m lost. This is the 1st of 3 votes? Which one is this?
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:36 pm · Link
Vote faster, damn it!
Karmakin - March 21, 2010 | 10:36 pm · Link
I’m watching for the exact moment in which freeper heads explode.
General Egali Tarian Stuck - March 21, 2010 | 10:36 pm · Link
@PeakVT: working fine for me.
burnspbesq - March 21, 2010 | 10:36 pm · Link
@robertdsc:
Loretta gets a pass from me for a reasonable quantity of goofy behavior. She is, after all, the person who broke the Republican stranglehold on OC by taking out the truly odious B-1 Bob Dornan.
mai naem - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
I think Nancy Drew grew up to be Nancy Pelosi.
Bootlegger - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
Does anyone know a realtime look at who is voting yea and nay?
WereBear - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
The suspense is tough.
Speaker of the House sounded great, I thought. A proud moment. A killer suit, too!
Ben S. - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
184-157 with 10 minutes left…
Camchuck - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
@PeakVT: I don’t think there is audio during votes. No audio on my cable CSPAN.
jl - March 21, 2010 | 10:37 pm · Link
I thought Jonny Bones was gonna make them cheap hoods do a voice vote. They using them electronic things?
WTF? How do we know it’s really them voting, and not their reptiloid overlords?
This is an outrage. I am going to go teabag!
RareSanity - March 21, 2010 | 10:38 pm · Link
Okay, can someone tell me what the damn hold up is?
Dramatic pause?
Gastrointestinal issues have several members in the latrine?
WTF?
Violet - March 21, 2010 | 10:39 pm · Link
Why does this take so long for them to vote? Arrgh. Tense.
SiubhanDuinne - March 21, 2010 | 10:39 pm · Link
Wow. Loved LOVED LOVED it when she said it was bipartisan b/c there are over 200 Republican amendments in the bill.
(Passing thought: might not those 200+ amendments account for at least a chunk of the much-maligned 2700 pages?)
Yes, I had about 10 minutes where I was just getting a “bad gateway” message. Glad things are back to what passes for normal.
asiangrrlMN - March 21, 2010 | 10:40 pm · Link
Which vote is this? And yes, the Juice was brokeded for me, too.
@General Egali Tarian Stuck: Awwww! We should have included cute animal pics in the process. That would have won over the naysayers!
220.
mr. whipple - March 21, 2010 | 10:41 pm · Link
Will there be much rejoicing?
WTF is taking dems so long to vote? Having a spaz here.
CaseyL - March 21, 2010 | 10:41 pm · Link
They all want their moment in the sun, even if no one knows they’re waiting for it except the other members.
Sucks, because I won’t believe it until I see it, and it’s taking soooo dammnmnmnmnmn looooooong.
asiangrrlMN - March 21, 2010 | 10:42 pm · Link
203-182, five minutes left. EEPS!
KDP - March 21, 2010 | 10:43 pm · Link
208-156 with 4:40 remaining. Sheesh! Can they vote any slower?
I think 224
Anya - March 21, 2010 | 10:43 pm · Link
@Camchuck: 223
Bootlegger - March 21, 2010 | 10:43 pm · Link
We need 7 of the 17 non-voting Dems in the next 4 minutes.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
That’s it, done!
You are welcome America and screw you Glenn Beck. These are never mutually exclusive thoughts.
Omnes Omnibus - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
GOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLL
!!
AhabTRuler - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
Some fuckers gotta pad out the suspense.
SIA - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
215
216
Holy shit!
WereBear - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
Yes we can!
Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill - March 21, 2010 | 10:45 pm · Link
DONE.
America. Fuck Yeah!
Three-nineteen - March 21, 2010 | 10:46 pm · Link
YES! Now we have to do this two more times? I don’t think I can take it.
Bootlegger - March 21, 2010 | 10:46 pm · Link
Way too much drama.
JGabriel - March 21, 2010 | 10:46 pm · Link
And there it is: 217!
.
Karmakin - March 21, 2010 | 10:46 pm · Link
Booooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooommmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
And there it is.
carlos the dwarf - March 21, 2010 | 10:46 pm · Link
YES WE DID
Dannie22 - March 21, 2010 | 10:47 pm · Link
219
burnspbesq - March 21, 2010 | 10:47 pm · Link
There it is! 217 with a minute to go.
RareSanity - March 21, 2010 | 10:48 pm · Link
BTW, Am I just being greedy that I’m pissed that with all of the money I give Comcast, I can’t get C-SPAN in HD?
PeakVT - March 21, 2010 | 10:48 pm · Link
@Camchuck: Maybe so. Fortunately got the C-1 feed to load in time!
burnspbesq - March 21, 2010 | 10:49 pm · Link
@Omnes Omnibus:
Golazo golazo golazo!
Woodrow "asim" Jarvis Hill - March 21, 2010 | 10:50 pm · Link
@AhabTRuler: Also, fuckers gotta ice-skate uphill.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 10:56 pm · Link
The abortion stuff is just crazy. If this bill does not outlaw abortion it loves abortion. Fucking nutjobs.
burnspbesq - March 21, 2010 | 10:58 pm · Link
Why is C-SPAN not showing the names of these lame-ass pro-lifers who are speaking in support of the motion to recommit? I want to contribute to their opponents.
SIA - March 21, 2010 | 10:59 pm · Link
Frustrating! BJ is sloooooow. And if one more person without a uterus yammers on about the unborn I am going to scream.
ETA and Stupak you can just STFU.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 11:00 pm · Link
Stupak pays his bills. Wow.
RareSanity - March 21, 2010 | 11:02 pm · Link
Who is this Stupak guy?
I’m not familiar with his work.
burnspbesq - March 21, 2010 | 11:04 pm · Link
I completely disagree with Stupak’s views on women’s reproductive health issues, but he showed me something with those remarks. The guy might actually be a Democrat.
Some Guy - March 21, 2010 | 11:08 pm · Link
Motion dead. Awesome. Congress is like soccer. Slow but punctuated with moment.
TimmyB - March 22, 2010 | 10:20 pm · Link
I believe the Sanchez sisters are twins, so not only are they the first sisters elected to Congress, but they are also the first twins elected.