The first nasty floor fight in the health care debate is under way, and it’s all over a bit of theater that Democrats decided to put on at the outset of today’s proceedings.  Prescriptions will be following the floor debate over health care legislation in the House of Representatives throughout Saturday. Previous posts:  Ahead of formal discussion of a rule that will govern debate of the health care bill, the Democrats sent out a parade of women lawmakers to make a series of points in praise of the legislation and its potential benefits for female Americans.  The statements, in the form of unanimous consent request to revise and extend their remarks, provided an interesting bit of theater. But Republicans furiously complained that it was a stunt by the Democrats to delay formal debate of the rule.  Representative Carolyn Maloney, Democrat of New York, stepped forward. “I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks to support ending gender discrimination in premium prices.”  Representative Barbara Lee, Democrat of California, stepped forward. “I ask unanimous consent to revise and extend my remarks in support of affordable health care in this Democratic bill so that domestic violence may never be used again as a pre-existing condition. “  Representative Tom Price, Republican of Georgia, began a series of objections.  Representative John D. Dingell, Democrat of Michigan, who was presiding as the speaker pro tempore, dismissed the objections and continued to pound the gavel, asking for order. But Mr. Price would not relent.  As one after another of the Democrats stepped forward, Mr. Price began to shout. “I object. I object. I object. I object.” Mr. Dingell: “The gentleman is out of order.”  Republicans continued to shout objections and demand parliamentary inquiries, which allow them to interrupt.  A woman’s voice meekly called out from the Democratic side: “Regular order please.”  Mr. Price continued shouting: “I object. I object. I object. I object. I object. I object.”  The Republicans demanded additional time for debate to counter the Democrats’ theatrics. Mr. Dingell continued to reject their demands.  Representative John Culberson, Republican of Texas, is saying the proceedings should continue with “comity” and “respect” and is asking for time to expand the debate.  But Representative Louise M. Slaughter, Democrat of New York and chairwoman of the Rules Committee has control of the floor, and is in a position to allow her colleagues to make their statements. And Mr. Dingell, swinging the gavel, is in a position to reject the Republicans’ demands.  Mr. Culberson asked to extend debate by an hour. But Ms. Slaughter refused. “I am asking for regular order,” she said. “I really want to get on with this bill.”  Long lines of lawmakers stood in the aisles awaiting to be heard as the debate ensued.
Republicans spent the first moments of the floor debate protesting the use of time by Democratic female lawmakers.