search
Sections List
American Journal News

Republicans storm out of vote on bill to help women veterans, citing procedural issues

GOP lawmakers said they were upset with the way House Veterans Affairs Committee Chair Mark Takano was running the meeting.

By Dan Desai Martin - October 29, 2019
Share
Republicans, women, military

Republican members on the House Veterans Affairs Committee stormed out of a key meeting on Tuesday without bothering to vote on a bill impacting the health care of women veterans.

Committee Chair Mark Takano (D-CA) was working to wrap up an hour-long meeting where 10 bills were set to pass out of the committee. The last of those bills, the Deborah Sampson Act, addressed inequalities and barriers faced by women veterans.

Before the final few votes, a Republican member asked permission of Takano to be recognized for a parliamentary inquiry, or a request for clarification on procedural moves. Takano ruled that the particular request was out of order at that time.

Republicans could have then waited and used a different mechanism, known as a motion to recommit, in order to attempt to change the legislation and apply specific amendments they had in mind going into the meeting. But they opted to leave instead.

In a video of the markup, a Republican staffer seems to signal to the Republicans on the committee to leave. The Republican lawmakers then stand up and walk out, refusing to vote on the bill, even as Takano continues to talk.

“Republicans chose to walk away from our markup and walk out on the 2 million women veterans whose lives will be enhanced by this legislation,” Takano said in a statement after the meeting.

After Republicans left the markup, the remaining Democrats in the room took three additional votes, all related to sending the Deborah Simpson Act to the House floor.

“Currently, women veterans comprise the fastest growing demographic within the veteran community, yet their invaluable service is often overlooked and forgotten, leading these women to feel invisible,” Rep. Julia Brownley (D-CA) said in a statement following the vote. “The Deborah Sampson Act recognizes and honors women veterans by ensuring inclusivity and equitable access to resources, benefits, and services,” she added.

Brownley remained in the committee room until the final vote was cast.

Republicans insisted the abrupt exit was a way to protest the way Takano ran the meeting.

The walkout was “an unprecedented, extemporaneous reaction when Chairman Takano made it clear that the markup was over and he was no longer going to give Republicans the opportunity to speak,” a spokesperson for Rep. Phil Roe (R-TN), ranking Republican on the committee, said in an email.

After the votes concluded, Roe put out a statement critical of Takano’s “embarrassing and undemocratic behavior clearly dictated by partisan interests.” Roe’s statement claimed Takano “refused to allow consideration of, or comment on” seven amendments.

However, Takano insisted that he worked with Republicans throughout the process, giving all members of the committee ample opportunity to provide input into the legislation.

“My Republican colleagues had a seat at the table every step of the way,” Takano said in his statement. “Instead of bringing forth meaningful, productive additions to legislation that will improve the lives of women veterans, they added toxic, partisan amendments — none of which worked to address how women veterans receive care.”

Takano added that the bills were backed by “14 Veteran Service Organizations — including 6 specifically advocating for women veterans,” and Republicans had, in the process of storming out, “left these veterans behind.”

When reached for comment Tuesday, Will Goodwin, director of government relations with VoteVets, had harsh words.

“It’s a real shame that Republicans wanted to make another dramatic show within week, after storming the SCIF, by marching out of a hearing to pass through a bill that would help countless women veterans,” Goodwin said in an email. “The Republican caucus is just fundamentally broken right now, and veterans are now paying for it.”

Goodwin was referring to the recent stunt led by Republican Rep. Matt Gaetz (FL) who, along with several of his GOP colleagues last week, demanded entry into a secure room where a bipartisan group of lawmakers were preparing to listen to a witness give testimony in the House impeachment inquiry.

At that time, Republicans — many of whom brought their phones with them into the secure room, threatening national security — complained about being excluded, even though almost 50 Republicans on each of three  committees leading the inquiry were welcome to attend.

Published with permission of The American Independent Foundation.


AJ News
Subscribe to our newsletter.
Read More
AJ News
Latest
Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

Trump White House plans to garnish wages of student loan borrowers

By Jesse Valentine - April 22, 2025
Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

Megadonor embroiled in ethics scandal gave thousands to Winsome Earle-Sears

By Jesse Valentine - April 21, 2025
“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

“I Was Terrified To Get Pregnant Again After Having to Flee Tennessee for a Life-Saving Abortion”

By Bonnie Fuller - April 21, 2025
Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

Goldman Sachs: Trump’s tariffs will lead to job losses

By Jesse Valentine - April 17, 2025
Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

Democrats take stand for wrongly deported Maryland man

By Jesse Valentine - April 16, 2025
North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

North Carolina law would make it illegal for Democratic AG to sue Trump

By Jesse Valentine - April 11, 2025
Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

Older Americans suffer under Republican slash and burn policies

By Jesse Valentine - April 09, 2025
Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

Scott Brown got Trump’s tariff plans for New Zealand very wrong

By Jesse Valentine - April 08, 2025
Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

Trump admin canceled Social Security contracts to punish Maine governor

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

Senate Republicans vote to eliminate cap on overdraft fees

By Jesse Valentine - April 03, 2025
Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

Forced to carry a dying baby, this Texas mother of four says she didn’t think it could happen to her

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

Despite pleas from women and doctors, Texas may implement even more abortion restrictions

By Bonnie Fuller - March 28, 2025
Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

Trump’s antiwar claims don’t hold up in leaked group chat

By Jesse Valentine - March 28, 2025
Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

Frontline Republican governors cheer on Department of Ed closure

By Jesse Valentine - March 26, 2025
GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

GOP-led legislatures ramp up abortion restrictions

By Jesse Valentine - March 18, 2025
HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

HHS slashes vaccine research, amplifies misinformation

By Jesse Valentine - March 11, 2025
Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

Senate Republicans scrap consumer protections for payment apps

By Jesse Valentine - March 10, 2025
Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

Rep. Don Bacon admits he voted for Medicaid cuts

By - February 28, 2025
Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

Trump admin cracks down on affordable weight-loss treatments

By Jesse Valentine - February 27, 2025
Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

Republican lawmakers are lying about Medicaid fraud

By Jesse Valentine - February 26, 2025
Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

Trump’s education pick: schools may lose funds for teaching Black history

By Jesse Valentine - February 13, 2025
JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

JD Vance defends DOGE staffer who promoted eugenics 

By Jesse Valentine - February 10, 2025