Hannity falsely claimed that under Pelosi, Republicans “can't offer amendments”

Written by Andrew Walzer

Published

Fox News' Sean Hannity falsely claimed that under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, “Republicans can't offer amendments; they can't offer alternative bills.” In fact, in the 111th Congress, the House has voted on several Republican-sponsored amendments to various bills.

On the March 16 edition of his Fox News program, Sean Hannity falsely claimed that under House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), “Republicans can't offer amendments; they can't offer alternative bills.” In fact, in the 111th Congress, which began on January 6, the House has held recorded votes on several amendments offered by Republicans seeking to change various bills, including a “substitute” amendment seeking to replace the American Economic Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 with an alternative bill.

The House also voted on a motion to recommit the recovery bill with instructions (i.e., an amendment to the bill) offered by Republican Jerry Lewis (CA). Another Republican amendment to the recovery bill was agreed to on the House floor by voice vote. Additionally, the House voted on a Republican alternative to the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009 in the form of a motion to recommit with instructions offered by Rep. Nathan Deal (GA). Debating the amendment, Deal stated: "[T]he Republican motion to recommit replaces what I consider to be a deeply flawed bill that has been offered and also has improvements to the SCHIP proposal that we are considering."

From the March 16 edition of Fox News' Hannity:

HANNITY: All right, let's first start with the tape. Now, Nancy Pelosi, the most draconian rules -- Republicans can't offer amendments; they can't offer alternative bills -- and here she's on Charlie Rose saying she's not partisan. Roll the tape.

PELOSI [video clip]: Some people think there seems to be a market for saying that I am very partisan and that I don't give the Republicans their opportunity. And that simply is not true.

HANNITY: Now, you worked pretty closely there. Is that true?

DANA PERINO (former White House press secretary): I think, yes, Speaker Pelosi is smart, she's accomplished, but she is also very partisan. And that's OK; you can be partisan, and also -- and think that your policies will be the best thing for all Americans, but that doesn't mean you can't have an honest debate. And I think one of the reasons you hear complaints from Republicans -- that they aren't having a chance to be a part of the legislative process -- is because they're not getting the chance to have a -- to be a part of it.