Georgia Republican Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene was widely mocked after she tried to catch Connecticut Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro in a mistake over the House passage of the continuing resolution to fund the government—only to receive a much-needed civics lesson from DeLauro in the process.
During the heated exchange on Tuesday night, Greene took a dig at DeLauro’s age and experience, suggesting she had forgotten her recent vote on a continuing resolution that could avert a government shutdown.
You can watch their exchange in the video below.
Greene said:
“My Democrat colleague across the aisle, who’s 80 years old and has been here over 30 years, just said we’re on the verge of a shutdown."
“She probably just forgot that a few hours ago, she voted for the continuing resolution that will extend the budget, and we are not on the verge of a shutdown.”
However, DeLauro, unfazed by Greene’s jibe, tactfully responded, highlighting a fundamental aspect of the legislative process. She explained that passing a budget resolution was just the initial step in the journey of a bill becoming a law, emphasizing the crucial roles of the Senate's vote and the president's signature in the process.
She provided Greene the following lesson in civics:
"It may be that the gentlelady doesn't know that there is another body attached to the U.S. Congress called the United States Senate, and they have to vote on the continuing resolution."
"And when they vote on it, we'll find out what it is that they do with regard to this continuing resolution passed by the House, which, quite frankly, is flawed to a fare-thee-well in meeting our obligations, both domestic and international."
"And by the way, it isn't a law of the land until the President of the United States signs it. That may be a basic-level lesson in civics."
"There is the House, there is the Senate, and there is the president ... It's the law of the land, which my colleagues on the other side of the aisle have dismissed, walked away from, and quite frankly, don't understand the process of government."
Greene’s attempt to challenge DeLauro’s knowledge exposed her to almost immediate criticism online.
Greene had a very bad time in Congress this week.
On Monday, the House of Representatives effectively ended her attempt to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, preventing him from becoming the first cabinet secretary in 147 years to face impeachment. Several Republicans joined Democrats in this vote.
Greene had put forward one impeachment article against Mayorkas, accusing him of violating a 2006 law requiring the DHS to maintain complete "operational control" of the border, a standard Greene alleges has not been met.
Mayorkas contended that the law implies achieving total elimination of both illegal immigration and contraband influx, a level of perfection he asserted is unattainable.
