Washington, DC – Rep. Tom Price (GA-06-R) issued the following statement today after learning of the Democrats’ plan to allow non-Members of Congress to vote in the House of Representatives.

“As if winning the election was not enough, Democrats are already revisiting a ‘power grab’ from 14 years ago,” Price said. “The new majority has decided to stack the House of Representatives with votes of people who are not Members of Congress. I find this move to be unethical and unconscionable.”

“In just two weeks, Democrats want to throw the principle of one person-one vote out the door and raise a litany of constitutional concerns. It is a distressing sign of a power play, and it is another sign that the new majority is not interested in having an open and fair government. But after the 100 Hour Agenda, what does one expect?”

The Democrats’ Stack the Deck Plan:

On Wednesday, January 24, 2007, the House of Representatives will be considering a rule change to allow Delegates and Non-Members – of which 4 of 5 are Democrats – to vote in the Committee of the Whole. The Democrats instituted the change previously during the 103rd Congress. Such a move was routinely criticized in editorial boards across the country.

“Our view – The Democrats’ first order of business is a power grab that short-circuits the Constitution. House Democrats, always eager to grab more power, are expected to open Congress’s new year Tuesday by making an end run around the Constitution.” – USA Today; “Wrong Way to Grant Voting Rights in Congress”; January 4, 1993

“All of which adds up to an outrageous power play, as if an 80-plus majority weren’t enough for absolute control. It is distressing sign that the leadership hasn’t the slightest clue that the people are fed up with Washington’s business as usual.” – New York Times; “Have the House Democrats No Shame?”; December 29, 1992

“American voters trimmed the sails of the Democratic congressional leadership just a bit last month, reducing the party’s House majority by 10 votes. Now the Democrats have concocted a little scheme to cut their losses in half.” – Chicago Tribune; “The Democrats’ Greedy Power Grab”; December 30, 1992

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