On Wednesday (May 24), Democrats erupted in laughter on the House floor when Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.) called for civility while presiding over the Chamber.
The commotion came as House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) addressed the debt ceiling, central to high-stakes negotiations between GOP lawmakers and the White House.
As Scalise urged the Senate and the White House to act to raise the borrowing limit — citing a bill passed by House Republicans last month — lawmakers voted on the floor.
Scalise suggested Republicans were the only “body in this town” taking action on the debt ceiling and Washington’s spending.
The Louisiana Republican then urged the Senate to pass the bill, saying he would encourage President Joe Biden “to get engaged and address this problem,” pausing as Democratic lawmakers erupted in yelling.
It is unclear who shouted what they said.
“Order,” Greene called from the dais while pounding the gavel.
Scalise asked the House to be in order “and there be some decorum on the other side.”
After pausing for about 15 seconds, Greene also demanded decorum in the lower Chamber.
“The members are reminded to abide by the decorum of the House,” Greene said.
Her request resulted in Democrats bursting out in laughter.
Some members — including Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (N.Y.) and Cori Bush (Mo.) — stood up and began shouting.
As the laughter continued, Greene repeatedly pounded the gavel.
The Democratic lawmakers’ reactions reflected the controversy that has swirled around Greene’s own bombastic behavior in the Lower Chamber since arriving on Capitol Hill.
During Biden’s State of the Union address in February, Greene yelled “liar” while the President made remarks about Social Security and Medicare.
Last month, Greene was silenced in a Homeland Security Committee hearing for similar actions, this time accusing Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorka of lying.
