"Vacant"

Here is the full text of today's resolution by Congressman Mark Meadows to declare the office of the speaker of the House "vacant."

Whereas the Speaker of the House of Representatives for the
114th Congress has endeavored to consolidate power and
centralize decision-making, bypassing the majority of the
435 Members of Congress and the people they represent;

Whereas the Speaker has, through inaction, caused the power
of Congress to atrophy, thereby making Congress subser-
vient to the Executive and Judicial branches, diminishing
the voice of the American People;

Whereas the Speaker uses the power of the office to punish
Members who vote according to their conscience instead
of the will of the Speaker;

Whereas the Speaker has intentionally provided for voice
votes on consequential and controversial legislation to be
taken without notice and with few Members present;

Whereas the Speaker uses the legislative calendar to create
crises for the American People, in order to compel Mem-
bers to vote for legislation;

Whereas the Speaker does not comply with the spirit of the
rules of the House of Representatives, which provide that
Members shall have three days to review legislation be-
fore voting;

Whereas the Speaker continues to direct the Rules Com-
mittee to limit meaningful amendments, to limit debate
on the House floor, and to subvert a straightforward leg-
islative process; and

Whereas the House of Representatives, to function effectively
in the service of all citizens of this country, requires the
service of a Speaker who will endeavor to follow an or-
derly and inclusive process without imposing his or her
will upon any Member thereof:

Now, therefore, be it
Resolved,
That the office of Speaker of the House of
1
Representatives is hereby declared to be vacant.

A resolution declaring the office of speaker of the House "vacant"

Elise Viebeck writes in the Washington Post about Congressman Mark Meadows' resolution to declare the office of the speaker of the House “vacant.”

In a blistering resolution, Meadows slammed Boehner for causing the “power of Congress to atrophy” and using his office to “punish members who vote according to their conscience instead of the will of the Speaker.” The measure was referred to the Rules Committee, aides said.

Meadows’s claims reflect a longstanding critique of Boehner’s leadership among House conservatives.

...The resolution filed Tuesday afternoon contained eight complaints against Boehner. Meadows argued that the speaker seeks to “consolidate power and centralize decision-making,” manipulates the House’s calendar to “create crises for the American people, in order to compel members to vote for legislation,” and limits debate and amendments on the floor.

Read more here.