House Dems try to bring up other bills during debate on lawsuit

House Democrats on Wednesday made a show of attempting to consider bills like raising the minimum wage and refinancing student loans during preliminary debate on the House GOP lawsuit.

Nineteen Democrats lined up in the House chamber to make unanimous consent requests to bring up legislation to raise the minimum wage, help boost women’s paycheck parity, refinance student loans and discourage companies from outsourcing American jobs. Democrats urged debate on those bills instead of the resolution authorizing Republicans to sue the president for his use of executive power.

{mosads}”We’re going to adjourn tomorrow for five weeks. Five weeks leaving unfinished business here. We need to solve problems for the American people,” said House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.). “But that kind of legislation is nowhere in sight.”

All of the 19 unanimous consent requests were rejected. Rep. Kevin Yoder (R-Kansas), who was presiding over floor debate, said the time could only be used on the rule for considering the resolution later Wednesday afternoon.

“Therefore, the unanimous consent request cannot be entertained,” Yoder said repeatedly.

Democrats argued the lawsuit would waste time and taxpayer resources.

“This is show business at its worst,” said Rep. Jim McGovern (D-Mass.). “Enough of this stupidity.”

But Republicans denied that the lawsuit was a personal attack against President Obama.

“If there were a Republican doing the same thing, I would feel just as strongly,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.).

A final vote on the resolution authorizing the lawsuit is expected around 5 p.m.