Reporter's Notebook: Dem rebels expose cracks in Jeffries House leadership

Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, may retire from Congress next year with a reputation that is anything but gilded among his fellow Democrats.

Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., is seeking re-election in a competitive district. But some of her colleagues may consider "MGP" to be notorious if she returns to Capitol Hill in January.

The House of Representatives is now out — again — until Sept. 14. That follows a six-week sabbatical over the summer. But were it not for Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez, House Republican leaders may have had no other choice but to send members home early a few days ago. The duo committed something close to a parliamentary heresy, handing the GOP the necessary votes on a procedural matter to unlock the floor for the majority.

Republicans lacked the votes to do it on their own – had Golden and Gluesenkamp not intervened.

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However, the most schismatic betrayal was that neither one briefed Democratic leaders on what they planned to do. Congressional leaders from both sides are never pleased with members who stray from the party line. Especially on a procedural vote, which is almost always the responsibility of the majority to pass. But at the very least, leaders like to be clued in. They might give someone a pass if they understand the reasoning.

"Did they give you a heads up that they were going to vote with Republicans on that rule?" asked Fox News' Kelly Phares of House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, D-Mass.

"They did not. They surprised us," answered Clark.

Yours truly observed to Rep. Tim Kennedy, D-N.Y., that in politics its always best to "stab someone in the front" rather than "in the back."

"Theres a lot to be said for that," replied Kennedy.

Lets start with the nature of the dissent by Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez.

Most major pieces of legislation in the House need what's called a "rule" before the body can debate the measure. The House must debate and approve a "rule," dictating how much time and what amendments would be in order. The House cant debate a bill until it first OKs a rule. And except on rare occasions, the majority party is expected to carry the rule. Its simply something the minority party rarely assists with – except in extreme circumstances.

Last week, the House planned to debate a resolution to condemn socialism, green-light the SAVE America Act, maintain the number of justices on the Supreme Court at nine and consider a plan to help the nations lobster industry. The House adopted the rule, 210-208. However, five Republicans voted nay on the rule.

Its about the math.

Those GOP defections would have killed the rule and frozen the floor for the rest of the week. In fact, the vote may have compelled House Republican leaders to cut everyone loose from Capitol Hill. The House was stalled considering any legislative traffic.

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But Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez voted yes, unlocking the floor for the