Democrats Threaten ‘Serious Response’ After Two Members Cross Aisle on Procedural Vote

Party leaders called the procedural defection a breach of trust and referred the matter to a caucus rules panel.

House Democratic leaders continued weighing possible punishment Thursday for Reps. Jared Golden, D-Maine, and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez, D-Wash., after the two centrists joined Republicans Tuesday to pass a procedural rule in Washington that leadership expected Democrats to oppose unanimously. The House Clerk’s tally showed the rule passed 210-208, allowing debate on four measures, including a bipartisan bill backed by Golden to protect Northeast lobstermen.

Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark and Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar demanded consequences in a joint leadership statement after saying the pair had blindsided the caucus.

“It is an action that necessitates a serious response, and we have asked the Committee on Caucus Rules to take this up in short order,” the Democratic leaders said.

Pressure went beyond leadership. A senior House Democrat told Axios that members wanted Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez punished for breaking ranks.

“People want it,” the senior House Democrat said.

The rule included Golden’s Northeast Lobstermen Protection Act, which he spearheaded with Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York. The legislation later passed the House 219-196, with 10 Democrats joining 209 Republicans, according to the official roll call. It had previously cleared the Natural Resources Committee 22-13.

Golden celebrated the vote in an official statement.

“This bill is a big win not only for fishermen in Maine, but for bipartisanship in Congress,” Golden said.

Gluesenkamp Perez similarly defended her decision by pointing to working waterfronts and environmental regulations.

“Working people need a seat at the table and electeds need to listen to them, not data from the 1990s,” Gluesenkamp Perez said in an official statement.

The rule also advanced more partisan measures, including a resolution condemning socialism, which later passed 220-192 with eight Democratic votes. By Thursday, Jeffries had softened his tone after what he called a productive conversation with Gluesenkamp Perez, but possible caucus rule changes or other consequences remained unresolved.