House Democrats were unable to block a motion from Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (D-WA) reprimanding her fellow Democrat, Rep. Jesus “Chuy” Garcia (D-IL), for the methods he used to announce and then recant plans for reelection, setting up for a final vote Tuesday.
The House voted against tabling Perez’s motion, which would have essentially removed it from consideration, on Monday night, 206-211. A vote on the resolution will likely come Tuesday, as it must now be debated on the House floor.
Despite efforts from leadership to whip in favor of tabling the motion, two Democrats joined all Republicans in voting against tabling: Perez and Rep. Jared Golden (D-ME), a fellow centrist who often sidesteps leaders on contentious legislation. Ten Republicans and six Democrats did not vote.
Perez’s motion to condemn Garcia is a rare moment of Democrat vs. Democrat infighting and an even rarer instance of a lawmaker seeking a reprimand of someone within the same party.
Perez’s motion came after Garcia filed for reelection on Oct. 27 but then decided to retire on Nov. 7. His chief of staff, Patty García, filed for the race on Nov. 3, just prior to the state board’s deadline, raising speculation that Chuy Garcia gave his chief a heads-up to file for candidacy to become the only Democratic candidate in a D+17 seat.
Gluesenkamp Perez had said the Illinois Democrat’s decision to “anoint an heir is fundamentally undemocratic” in a statement on why she filed the motion.
On the House floor, Perez insisted that her resolution does not challenge Garcia’s record and work in Congress and Illinois, but “no good work means that you are able to end your career with impunity and choosing your successor.”
“It’s clear to me that my responsibility as an elected representative is to say loudly and consistently, humbly, and with love that no one has the right to subvert the right to choose their elected representatives,” Perez said.
Perez was the sole Democrat to speak in favor of her resolution. A handful of Democrats are speaking in defense of Garcia, arguing that the resolution is “dragg[ing] his name through the mud” and is not the most pressing issue happening in lawmakers’ districts.
“This Democratic intraparty fighting is not what any of us want, and it’s not what the American people deserve, and I would hope get back to focusing on the issues that are most critical,” Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA) said. “And if any of us have an issue with what’s going on in somebody’s district, we should have the decency and respect to go to them and ask them about what’s going on in their district before we do all of this kind of character assassination on the House floor.”
Perez responded and said that members should speak out and take accountability, “not just when it’s politically convenient to condemn someone, but when it’s in your own family.”
The motion was met with disapproval from Minority Whip Katherine Clark (D-MA) and other leaders right off the bat, who was seen sternly talking to Perez before the Washington congresswoman introduced her privileged motion on Nov. 12.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said ahead of Monday’s vote he would support the motion to table and he expected it to succeed.
When asked whether the manner in which Chuy Garcia retired was wrong, Jeffries said people are more concerned with the high cost of living in the country.
“As House Democrats, that’s what we’re going to focus on,” Jeffries continued. “I do not support this so-called resolution of disapproval. And I strongly support Congressman Chuy Garcia. He’s been a progressive champion in disenfranchised communities for decades, including during his time in Congress, and he’s made life better for the American people.”
Prior to the vote, Garcia’s office circulated talking points about his decision to retire, per a memo obtained by Politico. In the talking points, his office said the motion “creates distraction and divisiveness among Democrats” and was a “ploy that our opponents will use for their own gain.”
The memo also argued that the congressman followed “all requirements and deadlines” under Illinois law and “the ballot was open to everyone.”
“We deeply appreciate your boss’ support and welcome their participation in floor debate about this inappropriate response that weaponizes Congressman Garcia’s personal decision in order to score political points,” Chuy Garcia’s office said.
Illinois’s 4th Congressional District is rated D+17 by the nonpartisan Cook Political Report, so whoever wins the Democratic nomination is all but assured a win in the general election, hence Perez’s resolution.
Patty Garcia may be the only Democrat in the race, but Byron Sigcho-Lopez, a progressive Chicago alderman, told the Chicago Sun-Times earlier this month he is considering an independent bid in the district. Mayra Macías, former executive director of both Latino Victory Project and Build Back Together, is also planning to run as an independent, per NOTUS.
MARIE GLUESENKAMP PEREZ ASKS HOUSE TO DISAPPROVE OF FELLOW DEMOCRAT CHUY GARCIA
A person familiar told the outlet that Macías was spurred to run because Chuy Garcia “attempted to coronate his chief of staff, as she believes voters in her home district deserve a choice in who represents them.”
The Washington Examiner reached out to Chuy Garcia, Perez, and Macias for comment.