Democratic U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett recently spoke out against the nonvoting status designated for the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories during the vote for the Speaker of the House. Ultimately, Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) would eventually win the vote, crushing the challenges put before him to return to the speakership.
However, Plaskett stood before Congress and accused the House of having a “colonies problem,” maintaining she had a parliamentary inquiry. Questioning the House rules, Plaskett pressed the clerk as to why she and other delegates from territories such as the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia were not permitted to participate in the voting.
As Plaskett began to speak, the clerk said, “For what purpose does the gentlelady from the Virgin Islands seek recognition?” She continued, “Mr. Speaker, I have a parliamentary inquiry.” She further lamented that various territories were not called in the vote despite “representing collectively 4 million Americans.” Plaskett then argued that the territories represent “the largest per capita of veterans in this country.”
The clerk interjected, “Does the gentlelady have a parliamentary inquiry?” She fired back, “I asked why they were not called.” Addressing a heckler from elsewhere in the chamber, Plaskett asserted, “Have some respect, it’s not gonna take that long.” After order was restored and Plaskett was recognized, she doubled down, “I asked why they were not called from the parliamentarian please.”
The clerk informed the delegate from the U.S. Virgin Islands, “Delegates-elect and the resident Commissioner-elect are not qualified to vote. Representatives-elect are the only individuals qualified to vote in the election of a speaker. As provided in Section 36 of the house rules and manual, is elected by a majority of the members elect, voting by surname.”
Not satisfied with the answer she was given, she continued, “This body and this nation has a territories and a colonies problem.” The clerk repeatedly smacked the gavel, trying to restore order to the room. “What was supposed to be temporary has now effectively become permanent. We must do something about this problem so that these 4 million Americans…” Plaskett ranted until her mic was cut. As she continued to shout at the clerk, her Democratic colleagues stood and applauded her.
As Mike Johnson would go on to secure his speakership, he released a statement on X, outlining his goals in the House. “The American people have demanded an end to the status quo, and a return to fiscal sanity. That’s why the citizens of our great country gave President Trump the White House and Republican control of both chambers of Congress. If we don’t follow through on our campaign promise for fiscal responsibility, we don’t deserve to hold power. The national debt is a grave threat to America’s economic and national security – and no issue exemplifies the Congress’ failures more,” he said.
Johnson continued, “Republicans have a real opportunity in the next two years to make meaningful spending reforms to eliminate trillions in waste, fraud, and abuse, and end the weaponization of government. Along with advancing President Trump’s America First agenda, I will lead the House Republicans to reduce the size and scope of the federal government, hold the bureaucracy accountable, and move the United States to a more sustainable fiscal trajectory.”
Watch Plaskett below:
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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