Congress: Rules of decorum, decency besmirched

Once the U.S. House of Representatives was recognized as the most respected legislative body in the world. This pinnacle was achieved by years of debate in adherence to the strictest rules of procedure and protocols of conduct — enacted to ensure free and full debate on all issues.

Recently, that reputation was shattered and besmirched by some 170 Democratic representatives who intentionally violated all House rules of procedure and protocols for civilized behavior.

They copied the ugly tactics of Black Lives Matter, Occupy Wall Street and the Wisconsin Legislature sit-in. They shouted down the speaker, chanting “no bill, no break;” they prevented regular order and the scheduled business of the House; they shouted raucously into an open microphone, sprawled on the floors, stood on the tables, waved crude placards and sang interruptive songs reminiscent of Selma, Alabama.

The gallery overflowed with shouting protesters. Pandemonium prevailed in the once decorous “People’s House.” This was intentional civil disobedience by representatives and gross political theater for left-wing Democratic fund raising.

Political leadership demands respect for laws and order in the legislative process, not a demonstration of the thuggery of the radical left in the House of Representatives.

This story was originally published July 5, 2016 at 11:56 AM with the headline "Congress: Rules of decorum, decency besmirched."