The Wisconsin Democratic state senators have now returned to the state, but they are still not having their votes counted in committee. Today Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald sent a letter to his members telling them that the Democrats' votes should not be counted since they are still in "contempt." It is the Republicans who passed a resolution officially holding the Democrats in contempt. Fitzgerald's letter can be seen below.
"Please note that all 14 Democrat senators are still in contempt of the Senate. Therefore, when taking roll call votes on amendments and bills during executive sessions, Senate Democrats' votes will not be reflected in the Records of Committee Proceedings or the Senate Journal. They are free to attend hearings, listen to testimony, debate legislation, introduce amendments, and cast votes to signal their support/opposition, but those votes will not count, and will not be recorded."
For the last three weeks the Republican Party demanded that the "Wisconsin 14" return to the state to vote on the Governor's Budget Repair Bill. In the end the Republicans found a way around the Wisconsin Constitution's quorum requirement and passed the bill without Democrats present. That move is currently being contested by the Democrats in court. Realizing their continued absence was no longer doing any good, many of the Wisconsin Democrats returned, but now they are still not being allowed to vote.
[See also: Wisconsin recall effort appears to be gaining steam]
Democrats are sure to object to Fitzgerald's move as another overreach in power. If the majority party could always discount the votes of the minority party simply by holding them in contempt it would seem to make the minority party entirely moot. Democrats in the Congress could have certainly passed health care reform in a much easier fashion had they held the Republicans in "contempt" and not counted their votes. Fitzgerald's move also could have real consequences. The Democrats are the minority, but at least one of the Republicans has sided with the Democrats on the Budget Repair Bill. In committee the Democrats could win a close vote simply by getting one or two Republicans to agree with them, but with Walker's ruling Democrats will have no influence in committee.
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