Anti-gay Dallas Republican Congressman Pete Sessions reportedly violated the Constitution on the same day it was read from the House podium.
The Huffington Post reports that Sessions, along with freshman Rep. Mike Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., missed Wednesday’s swearing-in ceremony because they were at a private fundraiser. They watched the ceremony on TV with their hands raised, but there’s no provision in the Constitution for a remote swearing-in. The Rules Committee was forced to adjourn Thursday because Sessions made a motion to take up a repeal of health care reform without having been sworn in as a member of Congress:
Emily Davis, a spokeswoman for Sessions, said that Sessions rectified the situation Thursday afternoon, after it came to his attention that he had not been properly sworn in. “During the swearing in of the 112th Congress, Congressman Sessions stated the oath publicly in the Capitol but was not on the House floor. To ensure that all constitutional and House requirements are fulfilled, Congressman Sessions officially took the oath of office this afternoon from the House floor. Public records and votes will be adjusted accordingly,” she said.
UPDATE: To make matters worse, Sessions reports on Twitter that he’s on the radio this afternoon with bigot Chris Krok, who famously mocked Joel Burns’ “Its Gets Better” speech:
If he had been a Democrat the GOP would be ginning this up with a vengeance. Fox News would be calling for his head and the Tea Baggers would be marching. So my question is, “where is the outrage?”
Kind of like a Skype wedding. Oh, wait. D.C. doesn’t allow that either. Guess his swearing in isn’t valid.
Rep. Sessions-
Not Sworn In????
Did you not hear the cry for priority #1 in the November Vote??
Do your job and show up!
What a waste of time and money, as you chase fund raising for yourself or your friend!
What a foolish act of disrespect!
You talk urgency, yet you do not act with urgency, your lack of responsibility and improperly missing proper actions TO SHOW UP, I would expect that from Obama, not one of the main conservative leaders of the Congress.
What arrogance, that is what we voted out in November.
Sorry you did not get the memo, or you just do not get it.
Your former employer AT&T/ Southwestern Bell would never have tolerated such an act, you were trained better.
Rep. Henserling and Rep. DeMint never would have pulled such a stunt. If you are going to run with the big dogs, act like one.
Your arrogant and selfish behavior is not the new program that started on the first day of this new Congress and you were AWOL, and not excusable!
Stop embarrassing us as a party, as a state, and as a district. I have voted for you every time, since I came back to Dallas in 1996.
You have enraged and rained on the excitement of our new day!
I wish I knew how to write a stronger complaint!
PeteLostPriority
Many citizens living in his district find it impossible to
elect someone else because of earlier gerrymandering by the
political party that controls Sessions. They lost Martin Frost who
was moderate and responsible to his constituents. Is there any
chance Sessions’ district can be redrawn to allow appropriate
representation?
Sir,
Please support the balanced approach that Mr. Obama is seeking for the good of all of us hard working Americans.