Rep. Walter Jones Joins Rep. Mark Meadows to File Resolution to Oust John Boehner as Speaker of the House | Eastern NC Now

    NC Congressman Walter Jones is standing with Mark Meadows in his effort to oust John Boehner as Speaker of the House, explaining that Boehner uses intimidation and coercion to get members to vote his way on legislation. Jones says men and women aren't voted to Congress to be puppets of the Speaker of the House, but rather to represent their districts.

    "No one should be intimidated for voting your conscience. If you are here to vote for the will of the Speaker and not the will of the people, you don't need to be here."

    That is exactly right, Congressman Jones.



    On Tuesday, July 28, Rep. Mark Meadows (R), also of North Carolina, filed a procedural move seeking to vacate the speaker's seat. Such a measure hasn't been tried since William Taft was president in 1910. The measure is considered a long shot, as the Rules Committee, which is controlled by Boehner, needs to approve the move. Jones believes the measure has "legs" but is not sure how strong those legs are.

    The resolution is the latest in a show of frustration with Boehner among conservative Republicans, who have made challenges to his leadership before. The attempt comes after Meadows was removed from a subcommittee chairmanship in June after siding against Boehner and other House leaders on a procedural trade vote. Jones himself was removed from committee chairmanship for the same reason two years ago.

    In June, Boehner, who represents Ohio, told reporters that he supported the committee chairman's decision to remove Meadows from his subcommittee seat, saying that "when it comes to procedural votes in the House, the majority has to stick together."

    "I don't think anyone should be intimidated because they vote their conscience," said Jones. "If you can't vote your conscience, then you don't need to be here for the people back home. If you're supposed to be here to vote the will of the speaker and not the will of the people, then you don't need to be here."

    Further, Jones alleged that Boehner uses "too much force to intimidate" lawmakers, and "this is wrong." He continued by saying that even though Republicans are in control of both houses of Congress, "too many times the policy decisions here in Washington are made by the influence of money..... Policies should be made by the influence of the people and their representatives, not money people, but those of us who represent the people."

    But not all of Meadows' fellow North Carolina lawmakers are backing him. For example, Rep. Richard Hudson (R) believes the timing couldn't be worse. He claims the move will take away attention from President Barack Obama and the nuclear deal with Iraq.

    Publisher's note: Contributor Diane Rufino also serves of co-publisher for Pitt County NOW.