Democrats scramble to punish their own for siding with Republicans on minor vote

Democrat leaders nearly lost their minds after two of their own defected to save a GOP-procedural vote, which paved the way for a House vote denouncing socialism, on Tuesday.

Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-Wash.) and Jared Golden (D-Maine) sided with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) after five Republicans jumped ship, giving Johnson the 210-208 win needed to advance a slate of GOP bills.

‘We didn’t even consider that anyone would do that.’

The aisle-crossing blindsided Democratic leadership, who quickly promised to discipline their rogue colleagues. But it turns out Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden had their reasons.

Golden’s Northeast Lobsterman Protection Act bill advanced as a result of his and Gluesenkamp Perez’s vote on the “rule.” Rules are procedural resolutions that move debate forward on groups of bills, determined