From the daily archives:

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

The U.S. House voted  240 to 179 to disapprove of the South Carolina Congressman Joe Wilson’s ”You lie!” outburst aimed at the president during a joint session of Congress. 

Tuesday afternoons’s debate surrounding the  resolution to rebuke the conduct of Wilson pitted South Carolinians against each other.  After Representative Rep. Steny Hoyer (D – MD) officially introduced the measure:

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,  Wilson took a moment to rebut, saying in essence, this is a waste of the House’s time:

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  MP3  1:41

Then leaders from both parties went head-to-head, accusing each other of partisanship. Majority Whip Jim Clyburn says the measure is about conduct, not party:

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 MP3 1:32

 Congressman Wilson’s outburst of “You lie!” to a comment made by President Barack Obama was, according to the resolution,  a breach of decorum and brought discredit to the House of Representatives.  Read the House resolution of disapproval

The House general code of conduct requires that “a lawmaker shall conduct himself at all times in a manner which shall reflect creditably on the House of Representatives.” These are the standards members are held to when they take the oath of office.

After Clyburn, a line of Republicans spoke on his behalf, including John Boehner of Ohio’s Eighth District:

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 MP3  :24

After a voice vote that favored the resolution, Boehner called for a roll call vote.

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H1N1 vaccine approved, DHEC awaits guidance

by Susan Trautsch 09/15/09 3:42 PM

The Food and Drug Administration today approved the new H1N1 (swine flu) vaccine  and now steps are being taken to get vaccinations under way next month in South Carolina.  The federal government announcement of the vaccine’s approval was made to Congress by Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, who said the bulk of vaccine [...]

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Former state Democratic chair: Wilson should be rebuked

by Tom Hayes 09/15/09 12:50 PM

Second District Congressman Joe Wilson may be facing a “slap on the wrist” from his colleagues in the U.S. House for shouting “You lie!” at the President of the United States Barack obama during the chief executive’s speech last Wednesday night before a joint session of Congress. Democratic aides say House leaders are preparing to [...]

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Bank robbery suspect goes to court

by Susan Trautsch 09/15/09 12:37 PM

A man suspected of robbing 14 banks in six states was in court Monday after being captured over the weekend at a mid-Missouri motel. Chad E. Schaffner , age 37, was arrested Saturday in the small Missouri town of Kingdom City, after a former state trooper recognized him. Authorities said Schaffner was wanted in 10 [...]

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Rex enters race for governor

by Tom Hayes 09/15/09 10:52 AM

After months of speculation State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex, appearing on Columbia’s WIS-TV Monday night, made known his future political aspirations. “After a number of months of consultation and contemplation, I have decided to run for the governorship of South Carolina.”
Rex is making campaign stops Tuesday in Greenville, Orangeburg, Florence, and Charleston.
Rex says several [...]

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