GOP gavels Pelosi silent in brief session

House Republicans on Tuesday morning blocked Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) from speaking, preventing her and other Democrats from protesting the seven-week break that the House is taking in the run-up to the November elections.

Rep. Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) gaveled in the brief pro forma session that the House held Tuesday, and after the prayer and Pledge of Allegiance, he was interrupted by Pelosi.

“Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent to address the House for one minute,” she said.

{mosads}”The gentlelady will suspend,” Woodall replied. Pelosi interrupted again to ask for one minute of floor time, but Woodall moved to some quick housekeeping, then announced that the House was adjourned and that the next pro forma session would be on Friday.

At that point, both Pelosi and Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (D-Md.) repeatedly asked Woodall for permission to speak. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Ga.) stood near a microphone ready to speak as Woodall closed the session.

When faced with Republicans who look to close down the session, Democrats have often stayed in the House chamber to press their points against the GOP, although their remarks are not part of the official House record.

Because the House and Senate did not agree to adjourn for these next several weeks, both chambers have two pro forma sessions planned each week through mid-November. Democrats have used the three pro forma sessions held so far to protest the lack of any plans for work during these sessions.

In last Friday’s pro forma session, the House passed three bills, including one that would delay a requirement for federal workers to make their financial disclosure forms public. That vote prompted Democrats to argue that the House should take up other bills related to taxes and healthcare.