House Rejects Obama's Trade Bill

Via the Washington Post:

President Obama suffered a major defeat to his Pacific Rim free trade initiative Friday as House Democrats helped derail a key presidential priority despite his last-minute, personal plea on Capitol Hill. The House voted 302 to 126 to sink a measure to grant financial aid to displaced workers, fracturing hopes at the White House that Congress would grant Obama fast-track trade authority to complete an accord with 11 other Pacific Rim nation.

The Tea Things are doing cartwheels across Twitter.

Former GOP US House Speaker Dennis Hastert Indicted On Banking Charges

Via Chicago's WGN-TV:

Federal prosecutors have indicted former U.S. House Speaker House Dennis Hastert on bank-related charges. According to a statement from the U.S. Attorney’s Office was 73-year-old Hastert was charged “with structuring the withdrawal of $952,000 in cash in order to evade the requirement that banks report cash transactions over $10,000, and lying to the Federal Bureau of Investigation about his withdrawals.” According to the indictment, in 2010, Hastert agreed to provide Individual A $3.5 million in order to compensate for and conceal his prior misconduct against Individual A. From 2010 to 2014, Hastert withdrew a total of approximately $1.7 million in cash from various bank accounts and provided it to Individual A.

RELATED: Hastert holds the record for longest-serving GOP House Speaker at 8 years. He retired in 2007. In 2006 Rolling Stone rated him as one of the worst members of Congress ever. He also allegedly had a role in covering up the page scandal that ultimately brought down Rep. Mark Foley.

US Rep. Ted Lieu To Introduce Bill To Ban "Ex-Gay" Torture As Fraudulent Practice

Chris Geidner reports at Buzzfeed:

On Tuesday morning, Democratic Rep. Ted Lieu of California will introduce a federal bill to ban commercial efforts to change people’s sexual orientation or gender identity — often called conversion therapy. “The public views conversion therapy as quackery, as something that harms people,” Lieu told BuzzFeed News on Monday afternoon, just after landing back in D.C. from California. “Eventually, I believe Congress will catch up to that, but you do need to start somewhere, so that’s why we’re introducing this legislation.” He faces an uphill battle: The legislation, which would label conversion therapy an “unfair or deceptive act or practice” that would be illegal under the Federal Trade Commission Act, is being introduced with less than three dozen co-sponsors — all of whom are Democrats. Lieu does, however, have a powerful ally in his effort. Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi has signed on as an original co-sponsor of the bill.

While a state Senator in California, Lieu was behind his state's successful ban on the "ex-gay" torture of those under age 18. His federal bill, however, would not limit the ban to minors. Lieu tells Buzzfeed, "Fraud is fraud, whether you practice it on a 16-year-old or a 45-year-old." The SPLC is currently suing an "ex-gay" group in New Jersey on the same grounds.

Hate Group Leader Tony Perkins To Testify Before Congress On Religious Liberty

"One of the benefits of putting conservatives in charge of Congress is that the agendas in most committees change -- and issues that weren't getting as much attention under liberal leaders are now front and center. Tomorrow [today], one of FRC's greatest priorities, religious liberty, will be the subject of a Senate hearing in the Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs. As FRC takes more of a leading role in the debate, I've been asked to testify before the committee at 2:00 p.m. and hopefully highlight the need for greater engagement on what we see as a fundamental human right. With the persecution unfolding before our very eyes in the Middle East and Africa, the United States has an obligation to speak on behalf of religious freedom through every possible diplomatic avenue. After six years of silence, it is up to this Congress to repair the damage done by this administration's indifference to persecuted Christians and other minorities. Our moral voice and supporting actions have been increasingly and noticeably absent with regard to international religious freedom. I'll encourage the Senate to once again find that voice." - Hate group leader Tony Perkins, via press release.

Todd Starnes: John Boehner Needs To Go

House Dems Reject Stopgap Homeland Security Funding Bill By 222-204 Vote

The GOP put forward a bill to fund Homeland Security for the next three weeks only. Democrats just refused and unless another vote is taken tonight, the agency will effectively shut down at midnight. As you can see, 50 Republicans refused to even vote for three more weeks. The Senate has approved a bill to fund Homeland Security until the end of the fiscal year.

House Votes To Restrict Abortion Funding Despite Promise Of White House Veto

Via the Associated Press:

Republicans have muscled legislation through the House tightening federal restrictions on abortions, as thousands of abortion foes staged their annual protest march just down the street. The House approved the broadened abortion curbs by a near party-line 242-179 vote. The White House warned that President Barack Obama would veto the measure, all but ensuring that it would never become law. GOP leaders hurriedly pushed the bill onto the House floor hours after abruptly abandoning another bill banning most late-term abortions. They dropped that legislation after a rebellion led by female Republican lawmakers left them short of votes. The approved bill would permanently bar federal funds for any abortion coverage and block tax credits for many people and businesses buying health insurance that covers abortions. That would exceed current abortion restrictions.

The Family Research Council and other Christian groups are doing self-congratulatory backflips on Twitter even though the bill will never become law.

Teabaggers Get Busy In The House

The 114th Congress took office this week and the Tea Things wasted no time in introducing a barrage of batshittery. Here are just a few items that I've pulled from the House site.

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) introduced a resolution to repeal the Sixteenth Amendment, which authorizes Congress to levy income tax.

Rep. Mo Brooks (R-AL) introduced a resolution that would authorize Congress to sue to the president for "actions inconsistent" with his duties regarding immigration laws.

Rep. Tom Rice (R-SC) introduced a resolution that would authorize the House to sue any member of the executive branch who "oversteps their authority" regarding immigration laws.

Rep. Robert Anderholt (R-AL) introduced a resolution that would repeal any executive order regarding immigration reform and "restore" such actions to the federal legislature.

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) introduced a resolution that would "terminate" the Internal Revenue Code.

Rep. Andy Barre (R-KY) introduced a resolution that would limit members of the Senate to serving two consecutive terms and limit members of the House to serving six consecutive terms.

Rep. Trent Franks (R-AZ) introduced a resolution that would make it a felony punishable by five years in prison to perform an abortion on a woman carrying a "pain-capable" fetus.

Rep. Steve King (R-IA) introduced a resolution to repeal the Affordable Care Act. (How many times have they tried this? Thirty? Forty?)

Rep. Todd Young (R-IN) introduced a resolution that would raise the threshold for classification as a full-time worker from 30 hours per week to 40 hours per week, which would mean the end of mandated health insurance for everybody who works fewer than 40 hours.

As for the Democrats, the most interesting item they've put forward so far is the resolution from (non-voting) Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), which would "provide for the admission of the state of New Columbia to the Union."

GOP Rep. Randy Weber Reintroduces Bill To Ban Feds From Recognizing Out-Of-State Same-Sex Marriages

With the intent of preventing Texas gays from bringing home their filthy marriage rights, yesterday Rep. Randy Weber (R-TX) reintroduced the State Marriage Defense Act, which would ban the federal government from recognizing same-sex marriages conducted outside of the state in which the couple resides. Weber first introduced the bill in January 2014, but it died in a House subcommittee after fewer than 25% of Republicans bothered to sign on as cosponsors. On Monday, Weber appeared on the Family Research Council's radio show, where he expressed optimism that the bill will do better this time due to GOP control of both chambers. According to Weber, Sen. Ted Cruz and Sen. Mike Lee will advocate for the bill. Weber: "Then we'll see what the president does with it. But I'm not hold my breath for the president to sign it."

RELATED: Yesterday Weber earned nationwide ridicule after comparing the president to Adolf Hitler. Weber issued an apology later in the day.

LIVE VIDEO: House Votes For SpeakerUPDATE: Boehner Survives Tea Party Coup

The Washington Post has list of votes against Boehner. Loony Louie Gohmert only got three votes, including his own. Final tally: Boehner 216, Pelosi 164.

Teabaggers Predict Boehner Loss

Just posted to Breitbart:

Rep. Ted Yoho (R-FL), one of the Republican alternatives to John Boehner for Speaker, tells Breitbart News he predicts Boehner will not win re-election on the first ballot in the speakership election coming shortly after noon on Tuesday. Yoho says he’s hearing an outpouring of support from members conference-wide. “There will be more against the Speaker,” Yoho replied when asked if more than 29 Republicans will vote for a Republican alternative to Boehner. “I’m telling you this is not something that just happened. This is something that people talked about, that we’ve got to have a new speaker. I’ve talked to members who have been here for 20 years who think they’re great guys but think we need to have great leadership. If you believe in that, this is your opportunity.” When further asked if Boehner won’t be re-elected on the first ballot at least, Yoho replied: “Yes, sir.” This is the first public prediction that Boehner could be forced to, at least, a second ballot.

The vote will be carried live at 12:30PM by C-SPAN.

UPDATE: Here's a Tea tally from Daily Caller. Only 28 anti-Boehner votes are needed to send the issue to a second ballot where support could fracture.

UPDATE: Watch the vote live here.

Hannity Endorses Gohmert For Speaker

The vote is today.

Tea Party Loon Rep. Louie Gohmert: I'm Running To Unseat Boehner As Speaker

Via the wingnut Heritage Foundation:

In announcing his bid today for speaker of the House of Representative, Rep. Louie Gohmert promised to be the engine of change that conservatives have been calling for in their rebellion against the establishment wing of the Republican Party. “It is time for a change; it really is time for a change,” Gohmert said on “Fox & Friends” while announcing his campaign to unseat incumbent Speaker John Boehner. Gohmert, R-Texas, criticized Boehner, R-Ohio, for a “number of years of broken promises,” and specifically challenged the speaker’s decision to pass the “CRomnibus” spending bill in December without blocking President Obama’s executive actions on immigration. If elected speaker, Gohmert said he will “fight amnesty tooth and nail.” He said his agenda would also include defunding Obamacare and having “positive solutions that will return power back to the people.” House members are set to vote for their next speaker on Tuesday.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Gohmert says "gay massages" put the US military in danger of terrorism. Gohmert says it's time to bomb Iran. Gohmert says Obama won't defend American women from rapist immigrants. Gohmert says he feels sorry for stupid atheists. Gohmert calls for sending American troops to Mexico stop illegal immigration. Gohmert says that it's the duty of every Christian to tell non-Christians that they are going to hell. Gohmert compares LGBT activists to Nazis. Gohmert says that judges who rule in favor of same-sex marriage need lessons in basic human plumbing. Gohmert says that "two males mating" does not advance the human species. Gohmert blames the Colorado movie theater shooting on the bible not being taught in public schools. Gohmert introduces a bill allowing members of Congress to carry guns in the Capitol Building. Gohmert claims that "demonic forces" are behind the Affordable Care Act. Gohmert compares President Obama to Adolf Hitler. Gohmert claims that terrorists are having US-born "anchor babies" so that they can grow up to be terrorists too. Gohmert claims that the Hate Crimes Act protects pedophiles from prosecution.

GOP House Majority Whip Confesses: I Spoke At Meeting Of White Supremacists

Via the Washington Post:

Rep. Steve Scalise (R-La.), the House majority whip, acknowledged Monday that he spoke at a gathering hosted by white nationalist leaders while serving as a state representative in 2002, thrusting a racial controversy into House Republican ranks days before the party assumes control of both congressional chambers. The 48-year-old Scalise, who ascended to the House GOP’s third-ranking post earlier this year, confirmed that he once appeared at a convention of the European-American Unity and Rights Organization. That organization, founded by former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke, has been called a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center. “Beyond hosting a website, whitecivilrights.com, and staging an occasional conference, EURO is a paper tiger, serving primarily as a vehicle to publicize Duke's writing and sell his books,” the SPLC writes on its Web site.

Scalise, it turns out, has a LOT in common with hate group leader and fellow Louisianan Tony Perkins, who also once keynoted the convention of a white supremacist group AND has financial ties to KKK leader David Duke. Scalise, NOT incidentally, was the lead author of Louisiana's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage.

House Approves Spending Bill

CNN reports:

Congress narrowly averted a government shutdown that was slated to take effect at midnight. The House approved a $1.1 trillion spending bill that keeps the government open through September. The Senate agreed to a two-day extension of current funding levels to give itself time to approve the House bill. After a tumultuous day, the House passed the spending bill in a 219-206 vote. Early Friday morning, President Barack Obama signed the deadline extension to midnight Saturday. The Senate will likely vote on the House bill on Friday, though that could slip. President Barack Obama is expected to sign it into law once it passes the Senate. The bill would keep most of the government running through the end of September, but only funds the Department of Homeland Security through February, when Republicans have vowed to pass new restrictions on the agency responsible for carrying out Obama's executive orders on immigration.

The Tea People are furious.

Crazy Eyes Bids Farewell To Congress

Via Wonkette:

Michele Bachmann gave her farewell address to the House of Representatives Tuesday, and while we were worried that she might just stand up and announce that all her email should be forwarded to Shelly@CrazyEyes.com, she actually did deliver a thoroughly Bachmannian speech. It hits all the required notes: Freedom, In God We Trust, Why the House is the Best House, plus several extra helpings of God stuff just to be sure. We learn that, while the House chamber is ringed with silhouettes of great lawgivers, there’s only one figure who is shown in a full-face view: Moses, because he handed down the bestest laws that ever lawed, the Ten Commandments. And yes, they are absolutely the foundation for the entire system of American law, which is why not a single one of the proscriptions in the Commandments is actually in the Constitution.

Now she's got the time to help Ladybird with his "ex-gay" torture clinic. Until she gets a gig at Fox News.

Three Democratic Reps Make "Hands Up, Don't Shoot" Gesture On House Floor

MAP: Richest Members Of Congress

At #1 is GOP car thief (seriously) Rep. Darryl Issa, who is worth at least $357M.

Issa lists seven high-yield bonds as being worth more than $50 million — the highest disclosure category. How much those bonds are actually worth is unknown; they could be worth hundreds of millions of dollars each. But just as his wealth could be many times higher than the picture provided by his disclosure, it also could be far less. Issa maintains two liabilities valued at $75 million — one personal loan from Union Bank that is between $25 million and $50 million and another personal loan from Merrill Lynch that is listed in the highest category of $50 million. That loan could be many times more than Issa is obligated to report. His true rank on our list depends greatly on how much he actually owes to Merrill Lynch. Before his election to Congress, the Californian made his fortune founding Directed Electronics — based in Vista, Calif. — which manufactures car alarms. Now, Issa appears to make his money through the bond market and high-end real estate.

Roll Call has a full breakdown of the 49 other richest members of Congress. Embiggen the map for all the names.

FLORIDA: Transgender Son Of Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen Speaks Out For First Time

Via CBS Miami:

Rodrigo Lehtinen grew up in a household grounded in Republican politics. His mother, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, was the first Cuban-American elected to Congress and has served in the House for the last 25 years. His father, Dexter Lehtinen, is the former US Attorney for the Southern District of Florida who oversaw the indictment of Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega. His grandfather, Enrique Ros, was an old-time Cuban-American hardliner and author who railed against Castro until his death last year at the age of 89.

“I came from a family where politics was very much talked about openly, calmly with respect on a regular basis,” he said. “So engaging that type of conversation about political issues or things that might be controversial is not foreign in my family.” As he sits for his first television interview, however, Rodrigo admitted the exposure feels a bit uncomfortable. “I’m generally a private person,” he said. “I know that may not be expected because my mom’s a politician and she’s very much in the public eye, but I’m just generally a more introverted person.”

Rep. Ros-Lehtinen signed DOMA, but has since become one of the few ardent LGBT allies in her party.

AP Calls It: DeMaio Has Lost