House Democrats Hold Record Number of Votes in First Session

House Democrats Hold Record Number of Votes in First Session
By CQ Staff

With several weeks of legislative activity still to come this year, Democrats have blown past a record set by Republicans 12 years ago — most roll call votes cast in an annual session.

As of Wednesday night, the chamber held 878 votes, 11 more than the record 867 in 1995, when Republicans assumed control of the House for the first time in 40 years.

Republicans weren’t impressed with the new record. “If activity and productivity were the same thing, baseball players could brag about being 9 for 900 at bat,” said Brian Kennedy, spokesman for Minority Leader John A. Boehner, R-Ohio.

Jim McDermott, D-Wash., said Republicans deserve some credit for the large number of votes. “Some of the voting is simply done to slow things down . . . and make points,” McDermott said.

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