Maybe, to torture

Following up on my hopeful post, I have since learned that the torture bill is in fact narrowly (20-19) out of committee and will go to the floor for a vote. Not surprisingly, there were GOP shenanigans involved.

"On the verge of a major political defeat, House Judiciary Committee Republicans scrambled to find missing panel members in order to successfully send a White House-backed military-tribunals bill to the floor.

"When two Republicans, Rep. Jeff Flake (Ariz.) and Bob Inglis (S.C.), cast their votes against the bill — siding with a Senate-crafted bill at odds with the Bush administration — Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) resorted to a procedural move.

"Gohmert voted against the bill, allowing members time to track down House International Relations Chairman Henry Hyde (R-Ill.) and Rep. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.), two panel members who weren’t present for the vote.

"By voting against the bill, Gohmert reserved the right to call it for a second vote, according to House rules.

"With Hyde and Gallegly voting in favor of the bill, the committee was able to get the vote to 20-19 in favor of the legislation."