House Democrats dealt South Carolina Rep. Joe Wilson a formal rebuke Wednesday, taking the rare step of passing a resolution of disapproval for his famous "you lie!" outburst last week in the House chamber.| Did they include Pete Stark? |
While Democrats said they were defending the rules of the House and enforcing the traditional decorum of the chamber, Republicans mounted a fierce attack on the resolution, saying it was a waste of time after Wilson had duly apologized to President Barack Obama for his outburst during a joint address to Congress. While a resolution of disapproval is little more than a slap on the wrist, a formal roll call vote like this -- permanently entered into the Congressional Record -- is extremely rare.
"What's at issue here is of importance to the House and of importance to the country," House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer proclaimed during the hour-long debate preceding the vote. "This House cannot stay silent."
Wilson himself was defiant to the end, calling the action unnecessary and a waste of time. He also used his floor speech to criticize the Democratic health care plans and government spending in general.
"The challenges this country faces are greater than any member of this House," Wilson told a packed chamber. "...When we are done here today, we will not have taken any steps to improve the country."
According to a C-SPAN count, 11 Democrats voted no on the resolution, and seven Republicans voted yes.