The Shutdown Prolonged by a Secret Rule →

Congressman Chris Van Hollen, through a series of parliamentary inquiries, clarified on the House floor the rule that restricted the privilege of all House members to suggest that a bill be put up for a vote. It was restricted to “the majority speaker or his designee,” which, in this case, is House Majority Leader Eric Cantor. This resolution was passed on October 1, 2013.

It’s appalling that this happened, but what is more appalling is that the American people won’t do anything about it.