Mayhem Erupts in the House

Session unravels over partisan head-butting, House to reconvene today
By Sam Biddle,  Newser Staff
Posted Aug 4, 2007 10:22 AM CDT
Mayhem Erupts in the House
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's attempt to discuss legislation was interrupted by an electrical failure.   (Associated Press)

Shouting, jeering, paralysis and a power outage marred what was to be the last session before summer recess for the House of Representatives yesterday, the LA Times reports. House Democrats had hoped to resolve several key pieces of legislation, but the floor descended into tumult as
leaders struggled in vain to recover decorum after Thursday night's furious GOP walkout.

"I've never seen…in my service what I saw last night…It was a low point," commented one veteran GOP congressman. Later, as House Speaker Nancy Pelosi began a news conference, the lights in the room failed. Even efforts to adjourn the chaotic session were thwarted by a vote-tallying computer failure. The House will reconvene for a rare weekend session today. (More Nancy Pelosi stories.)

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