16 Comments

For expelling a Senator they would need a conviction and not just an indictment? I remember the last Congressman to be removed was Dan Rostankowski (sic) (from Ohio).

Would the Democrats consider kicking Menedez out of their caucus, or just unofficially kick him out?

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Rostenkowski was not kicked out of Congress. He resigned. The last Congressman to be expelled was Jim Traficant of Ohio, after he was convicted of fraud.

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Traficant is who I was thinking of. I guess Rostenkowski was another familiar name. Thanks again for the info.

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There is no requirement for why someone is expelled. What usually happens is that a lawmaker gets convicted, hangs on for as long as possible, and then resigns before being expelled. Last Senator to do that was John Ensign R-NV

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I know I'm in the minority on the dress code, but I see it as a hidden expense for a Senator. Someone larger/taller like Fetterman has a higher cost to comply. Men's' business wear has less acceptable options than women's. Whole I doubt anyone would try it, I'd enjoy seeing a man show up in a dress to point out the hypocrisy. That's not how it would be received of course.

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The hypocrisy is that there are all kinds of GOP lawmakers in the House and Senate who routinely don't wear ties or can't find a jacket.

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If it's a required uniform, then it should be paid for by taxpayers. I recall an article from Cori Bush's first months in office talking about the expense of clothing and how she saved money. That makes me believe it isn't included in the costs paid by taxpayer.

They should all just wear a robe and look the same. Then the cloak room would live up to its name.

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Loaner jackets might be a solution.

I recall years ago exploring the French Quarter with a friend we wanted to sample oysters Rockefeller at Antoine's and were told we had to be properly dressed to dine there. Fortunately they kept an inventory of "loaner jackets" for guests who need one and we were invited to pick one from a good selection of various sizes.

Dress codes have slipped away since then but who knows? They might make a comeback in Congress.

"Dress codes may also seem counterintuitive at a time when many diners have reacted angrily to other directives — like requests to wear a face mask — and when even some formal restaurants with longstanding dress rules have loosened them during the pandemic. Eric Ripert, the chef and co-owner of Le Bernardin, in Manhattan, said he dropped a requirement that men wear jackets because sharing the restaurant’s loaner coats seemed unhygienic."

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/17/dining/restaurant-dress-code.html?unlocked_article_code=5y8YrqI1wysrIMy29fCBQfAnH8yrNORYjhkDv4mLhd_lMbFF20lvlhOzDo7k62R2uHQRcpFlE01YCtu7UrZtf3YV4-AX8j8MdX4iz2Q3P-FOxgP6-ooTaMPeI4eSwu9V2D0Vp_iwRaoEMn9HqF85QnDOZDC-2gxloy9WTV-h8a7v2SRA7nFjffrl5VghKRPzAfNdigQ02Dbm1Yyn927xWZn3tHerO7cYtkZeSIuqv2RaLueXQNVSmC75MtYK_0Y4817QHNPm0ChAGqchIzckYA7a5KSpnSs2RsJKFDlZ8Qlcz41EOyJPFAVF04QNZQ9vVCfTlUHSQy2Ox0G8uMM&smid=url-share

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The cloakrooms always have an emergency tie and jacket for members. And I've seen many times where an aide in the Speaker's Lobby will take off his tie and jacket for a member to use for a quick visit onto the House floor.

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So many questions today, but I’ll limit myself to just one.

I do not understand the reason for stripping out aid for Ukraine from the Pentagon spending bill and putting it into a separate bill. If the vote against stripping it out was 330-104 against, then can we assume the new and separate bill will pass the House? So what is achieved by doing this?

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Good question. Why was it done? Evidently there were a number of GOP lawmakers who opposed the Ukraine aid who were going to vote against the overall Pentagon funding bill because of that money still being in the bill. So, by taking it out, now those members will vote for the Pentagon bill.

Standing on its own, one would think the money would survive with votes from both parties. Ironically, sending this extra bill to the Senate would give Democrats another bill to use as a vehicle for a possible CR.

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Why do we talk so much about the dress code when there are much more important things going on? I think because it's NOT as important. Having said that, "business attire" is still a hugely broad category.

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Do you have an estimate for how long the shutdown may last? It's looking like McCarthy has neither the votes nor the pull to make a compromise happen, and getting 21 down to 4ish is a long road. Is there any scenario where he sacrifices his speakership, or is he going to hold out?

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My gut feeling is that it goes until a little after Columbus Day. But we'll see.

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Please define QRM

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QRM is an amateur radio term which means interference

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