Rep. Jared Golden (Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press)
Two House Democrats who helped Republicans push a procedural rule through the chamber now face possible punishment from party leaders.
Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., voted with Republicans, according to Axios, on a rule setting the terms for debate on a package of bills.
Members break from leadership on regular legislation, but rule votes typically split along party lines.
The package carried a Republican resolution denouncing socialism in all its forms, along with language praising the GOP’s SAVE America Act.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass., and Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar, D-Calif., signaled action in a joint statement Tuesday night.
“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,” the three said.
“It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order.”
Some members welcomed the harder line.
“I (expletive) love it,” said Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif. “We have to draw a bright line here and kick some ass or this will be the new norm.”
Huffman said the two should lose their committee assignments.
“I think if you throw all of your colleagues under the bus by voting with the other party on a procedural rule vote, you should lose your committee assignments and get reassigned to the arts and crafts committee,” he said.
Golden said the rule also carried legislation he helped introduce to shield lobstermen from federal regulations protecting whales.
He told Axios that leadership had no reason to be surprised.
“They couldn’t possibly think I would vote against my own bill, right?” Golden said.
Gluesenkamp Perez pointed to the same lobstermen bill in explaining her vote.
Any punishment would carry limited weight.
Golden is retiring Jan. 3 and Gluesenkamp Perez is seeking reelection in one of the most Republican-leaning districts held by a Democrat.
Progressive groups criticized a recent meeting between Jeffries and Jared Kushner, President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and adviser.
Jeffries, who could become speaker if Democrats win a House majority in November, met privately with Kushner in New York to discuss areas where Democrats and the Trump administration could potentially work together on issues including immigration, housing, and the cost of living.
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