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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene forces Congress to delay vote on $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package

Mar 11, 2021, 00:52 IST
Business Insider
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reads an objection on January 7, 2021 to the counting of the certificate of vote from the state of Michigan during a joint session of Congress after the session resumed following protests at the US Capitol in Washington, DC.SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images
  • Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene delayed House business on Wednesday by forcing a vote on adjourning.
  • Her move pushed back a vote on Biden's $1.9 trillion COVID-19 stimulus package.
  • Republicans are frustrated with Greene's machinations; 40 GOP lawmakers voted against her motion.
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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene on Wednesday used procedural tactics to hold up congressional business, this time to delay the House's vote on President Joe Biden's $1.9 trillion coronavirus stimulus package.

The Georgia Republican introduced a motion to adjourn the House just as the chamber prepared to begin debate on the COVID-19 bill. That forced every representative to vote on whether to keep the House in session, a long process that pushed back a vote on the stimulus legislation.

"I just made a motion to adjourn to stop Congress from passing the $1.9 trillion dollar massive woke progressive Democrat wish list," Greene tweeted. "The GOP has messaged against this ridiculous bill. We should do everything to stop it. Pay attention if Rs vote to adjourn. Or with the Dems."

Democrats and many Republicans, however, are fed up with Greene's disruptions. Her motion was struck down 149-235, with 40 GOP members voting against it.

"Unfortunately some Republicans are voting with Democrats to continue business as usual," Greene tweeted after the vote.

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The freshman firebrand has on several occasions halted the day's work since she was stripped of her committee assignments last month. House Democrats removed Greene from the Education and Labor Committee and the Budget Committee to rebuke her past activity on social media peddling in controversial and racist comments and expressing support for conspiracy theories and political violence.

Greene has sought to strike back at Democrats and exercise her limited power in any way she can, such as by forcing votes on adjourning the House. But Republicans are increasingly frustrated.

"It's a pain in the a--," Republican Rep. Fred Upton of Michigan told CNN on Wednesday.

Democrats, who are in the majority, are considering ways to prevent Greene from continuing her interference. Rep. David Cicilline of Rhode Island told reporters on Wednesday that he may propose a rule barring lawmakers not on committees from calling motions to adjourn.

"I'm dead serious," Cicilline said, according to CBS News' Grace Segers.

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"It's unconscionable that they are doing everything they can to try to, again, delay getting aid to the people, including their constituents who are in desperate need," Democratic Rep. Jim McGovern of Massachusetts told Reuters' Susan Cornwell on Wednesday.

The House is likely to pass the massive relief package on Wednesday, sending it to Biden's desk for his signature. It's unclear whether any Republicans, who have said they were shut out of negotiations, will support the legislation, which includes $1,400 direct payments to Americans, extended unemployment benefits, vaccine funding, and other measures.

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