Two Democrats Again Defy Leadership to Help GOP on Procedural Vote

Two centrist House Democrats, Reps. Jared Golden of Maine and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez of Washington, again broke with their party leadership on Tuesday to help Republicans advance a procedural rule, clearing the way for a vote on a Russia sanctions bill. The vote passed 214-211, with two Republican "no" votes, and marked the second time in recent weeks the pair defied Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries on a key procedural matter. The rule vote allowed the House to consider a package of legislation, including a Russia sanctions bill that passed the Senate with bipartisan support in August. Golden and Gluesenkamp Perez cited their support for the sanctions and their constituents as reasons for their votes. Gluesenkamp Perez, who represents a district with a large Ukrainian community, stated she was proud to stand with her community's values. A spokesperson for Golden said he did not want to see the sanctions bill die in a procedural vote after its strong Senate passage. The defection drew sharp criticism from Democratic leadership. Jeffries called the vote a "significant breach of trust" and said it necessitated a "serious response.