Republican Rep. Anna Paulina Luna of Florida was heckled into silence Thursday during a speech on the House floor after blaming Democrats for the drama surrounding a looming government shutdown.
Speaking in favor of a new, pared-down funding bill just hours after President-elect Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk blew up a bipartisan resolution that seemed on a glide path to approval, Luna began by heaping praise on Trump.
“I never voted for a [continuing resolution], but I’m here today because I realize the plan that’s on the table currently to keep our government open, but also the promise from the only president in my lifetime who has ever followed through on all of his campaign promises to the American people,” she said, drawing boos and jeers from the other side of the aisle.
“Excuse me! I’m not done talking. Give me the same respect we give you guys,” Luna responded.
New York Rep. Marc Molinaro, serving as Speaker Pro Tempore, jumped in.
“My colleagues are reminded the gentlewoman has the floor and has the right to be heard,” he said. “The gentlewoman has the right to be heard and the gentlewoman would be reminded to direct her comments to the chair.”
Luna picked up where she left off, “... From the only president in my lifetime who fulfilled all his campaign promises to the American people, have promised to cut hundreds of billions in reconciliation.”
Luna lauded Speaker Johnson for pulling the initial shutdown deal for a new deal. “The deal on the table will keep the government open for the American people and if you so choose to shut it down, it will be on you, but not the Republican Party,” she said.
“We will not be going back to the table,” Luna predicted minutes before the vote. “This deal stands as it is. So let you go back home on Christmas and explain to your people why you shut down the government because we won’t be doing it.”
That elicited more sounds of disapproval among Democrats, which in turn caused Molinaro to pound the rostrum with his gavel, which apparently shattered.
Luna described parts of the original bill as not being in “the best interest of the American people.“
One item that was cut was a program funding research for childhood cancer and disease.
Luna added, “So the deal on the table is as is. You either vote for it or you vote for the shutdown, but it will not be on the Republican Party, but on Democrats as it stands.”
Moments later, the Republican-controlled House failed to pass the bill.
A two-thirds majority was needed to pass the legislation, which would have extended federal spending for three months, along with suspending the debt limit for two years—a key demand made by Trump.
Even though Republicans have a slim majority, not nearly enough of them voted to pass the bill—which would have failed even if a simple majority had been required. The vote was 174-235.
The government shutdown deadline is Saturday just after midnight.
