House Democrats spent Tuesday night in open internal conflict after two of their own members crossed party lines to save Speaker Mike Johnson from a procedural defeat, clearing the way for passage of a Republican resolution condemning socialism.
Reps. Jared Golden of Maine’s 2nd District and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington’s 3rd District voted with Republicans on a procedural rule, offsetting five GOP defections and allowing it to pass 210-208. The rule unlocked a broader package that included a resolution denouncing socialism “in all its forms” and naming the Democratic Socialists of America. The House later adopted that resolution 220-192, with 192 Democrats voting against it.
It is unusual for members of the minority party to vote for the majority’s procedural rule, which sets the floor agenda for votes to come. Golden, who is retiring, said he supported the rule because it carried his bill to protect Maine lobstermen. Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents a swing district, cited a similar working-waterfront rationale.
Leadership Response
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he received no advance notice of the defections and directed reporters to Whip Katherine Clark for answers. Leadership has referred Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez to the Committee on Caucus Rules, and Axios reported that some members are discussing stripping the pair of their committee assignments.
“The decision by two of our colleagues to blindside the entire House Democratic Caucus and join with the Republican majority to pass a procedural rule on the brink of failing represents a significant breach of trust,” Jeffries said, according to Punchbowl News. “It necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
Pelosi Weighs In
Former Speaker Nancy Pelosi added her own criticism, telling reporters that a member voting for the opposing party’s rule was something “we didn’t even consider” during her time as Speaker.
“Voting for the rule is something that I, as Speaker, we never — we didn’t even consider that anybody would do that,” Pelosi said. “We never had that problem. So I’m disappointed that they did that.”
Pelosi’s comments were aimed at the two defectors, but they also implicitly drew a contrast with Jeffries’ handling of the episode.
The episode leaves House Democratic leadership publicly weighing disciplinary action against two of its own members for a vote tied, according to the lawmakers themselves, to district-specific legislation rather than to the socialism resolution that followed.
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