Tag Archives: Electoral College

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Grand Theft Election II: Keystone State Stories


By ThinkProgress War Room

GOP Plan to the Steal the White House is Back

Earlier this year, Republicans in several swing states unveiled sore loser plans to allocate their electoral college votes by congressional district or in some other proportional manner rather than the current winner-take-all system in place in 48 states. This would result in votes that would likely go to the Democratic nominee being pushed over into the GOP column. Tellingly, the GOP is not proposing to split the electoral votes of red states.

Had such a plan been in place in every swing state last year, Mitt Romney would most likely be president right now despite having lost the popular vote by nearly 5 MILLION votes.

Fortunately, massive outcry quickly killed this plan in Virginia, Florida, and other states where it reared its head.

Unfortunately, this GOP plan to steal the White House is now back in two key swing states:

  • Pennsylvania: 13 GOP state senators, including the senate majority leader, have formally introduced their electoral college rigging bill. Republicans need a total of 26 votes to pass the bill. They currently control the chamber and hold 27 seats total. As they also control the state house in Pennsylvania, the GOP could theoretically ram the bill through in as little as 4 days as soon as they have the votes to pass it.Pennsylvania has been at the forefront of recent efforts to rig the electoral college, with Republicans from Gov. Tom Corbett on down first considering this scheme way back in 2011.
  • Michigan: On Saturday, Republicans gathered for their state convention voted overwhelmingly (1370-132) to back a scheme to divide their state’s electoral votes by congressional district. For his part, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder (R) has opposed the scheme, saying it’s not the “appropriate time” to consider it. This, however, is cold comfort, as Snyder once said the exact same thing about an anti-union bill that he later signed after it was rammed through the legislature with little debate.

BOTTOM LINE: If the GOP wants to win elections the old fashioned way — by winning more votes — then they should change their unpopular policies instead of trying to change the rules in the middle of the game.

Evening Brief: Important Stories That You Might’ve Missed

The sequester cuts will be painful for the home states of the Congressional GOP leadership.

The virtues of a financial transactions tax.

Shock election result leaves Italy in gridlock.

The GOP’s war on Planned Parenthood marches on.

The sequester will harm border security and our ability to stop a terrorist attack.

The Supreme Court made a good decision on campaign finance.

GOP senator with an “A” rating from the NRA is open to background checks.

POLL: voters prefer military spending cuts to reduce the deficit.

Why Seth MacFarlane and The Onion’s jokes about Quvenzhané Wallis are so gross.

Black History

CONGRESS: the Republican led House ::: the Senate led by Democrats


CapitolSenateDC

the Senate Convenes at 12:30pmET January 4, 2013

  • Following any Leader remarks, the Senate will recess for the Joint Session for the counting of the electoral votes.
  • Senators will gather at 12:45pm to proceed together to the Joint Session.

WRAP UP

No ROLL CALL VOTES

LEGISLATIVE ITEMS

Passed H.R.41, an act to temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program by voice vote.

No EXECUTIVE ITEMS

——————————————————–

Watch Most Recent House Floor Activity

The next meeting is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. on January 4, 2013.

10:00:25 A.M. The House convened, starting a new legislative day.
10:00:30 A.M. The Speaker designated the Honorable Jo Ann Emerson to act as Speaker pro tempore for today.
10:01:03 A.M. Today’s prayer was offered by the House Chaplain, Rev. Patrick J. Conroy.
10:02:20 A.M. SPEAKER’S APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL – The Chair announced that she had examined the Journal of the last day’s proceedings and had approved it. Mr. Garrett demanded that the question be put on agreeing to the Speaker’s approval of the Journal and by voice vote, the Chair announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Garrett objected to the voice vote based upon the absence of a quorum and the Chair postponed further proceedings on the question of the Speaker’s approval of the Journal until later in the legislative day.
10:02:59 A.M. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE – The Chair designated Mr. King of NY to lead the Members in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
10:04:16 A.M. S. Con. Res. 3 Considered as privileged matter. S. Con. Res. 3 — “Providing for a conditional adjournment or recess of the Senate and an adjournment of the House of Representatives.”
10:06:16 A.M. S. Con. Res. 3 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection.
10:06:24 A.M. S. Con. Res. 3 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
10:06:25 A.M. H.R. 41 Mr. Garrett moved to suspend the rules and pass the bill. H.R. 41 — “To temporarily increase the borrowing authority of the Federal Emergency Management Agency for carrying out the National Flood Insurance Program.”
10:06:52 A.M. H.R. 41 Considered under suspension of the rules.
10:06:55 A.M. H.R. 41 DEBATE – The House proceeded with forty minutes of debate on H.R. 41.
11:26:00 A.M. H.R. 41 On motion to suspend the rules and pass the bill Agreed to by the Yeas and Nays: (2/3 required): 354 – 67 (Roll no. 7).
11:26:02 A.M. H.R. 41 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:26:07 A.M. UNFINISHED BUSINESS – The Chair announced that the unfinished business was on the Speaker’s approval of the Journal.
11:26:25 A.M. On approving the Journal Agreed to by voice vote.
11:28:42 A.M. H. Res. 17 Considered as privileged matter. H. Res. 17 — “Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.”
11:29:11 A.M. H. Res. 17 On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to by voice vote.
11:29:17 A.M. H. Res. 17 Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
11:29:27 A.M. APPOINTMENT OF TELLERS – Pursuant to S. Con. Res. 1, 113th Congress, and the order of the House of January 4, 2013, the Chair announced the Speaker’s appointment of tellers on the part of the House to count the electoral votes: Mrs. Miller of Michigan and Mr. Brady of Pennsylvania.
11:29:50 A.M. The Speaker announced that the House do now recess. The next meeting is scheduled for 12:55 P.M. today.
1:05:48 P.M. The House convened, returning from a recess continuing the legislative day of January 4.
1:05:51 P.M. APPEARANCE OF THE SENATE – The Vice President and the Members of the Senate appeared and were admitted into the House Chamber to meet with the House in a Joint Session for the purpose of certifying the Electoral College ballot count.
1:07:00 P.M. JOINT SESSION CALLED TO ORDER – The Vice President called the Joint Session to order, announced the purpose of the Joint Session and directed the tellers on the part of the House and Senate to take seats at the Clerk’s desk.
1:08:00 P.M. CERTIFICATION OF ELECTORAL VOTES – Begining with the state of Alabama, the tellers proceeded with announcing the results of the Electoral College balloting.