In an attempt to stall the passage of the Democratic energy bill, Minority Leader John Boehner (R-Ohio) on Friday began reading the text of the 300-page Democratic amendment during his closing remarks on the bill.
Republicans contend that no one in the House has read text of the amendment, which includes a deal worked out between Agriculture Chairman Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) and Energy and Commerce Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.) and a slew of other changes worked out in recent days to build support for the bill.
Several GOP sources confirmed Boehner’s decision, which is allowed under the House rule that gives leaders unlimited floor time.
This is the latest in a series of protests launched by House Republicans in the past few weeks over minority rights. GOP Members believe they have been locked out of the process through rule changes by Democratic leadership.
On June 18, Members were on the floor for eight hours for a record 53 votes in one day.
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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