Congress Faces Dispute Over Tight Race
One of the first jobs of the 99th Congress when it convenes Thursday will be what to do about the 8th District seat in Indiana.
The Indiana secretary of state certified Republican challenger Rick McIntyre the winner by 34 votes. But Democratic incumbent Frank McCloskey has asked the Democratic-controlled House to investigate.
Recounts in seven of the 8th District’s 15 counties have increased McIntyre’s lead to 55 votes.
What the Democrats have in store for McIntyre on opening day is unknown because House Speaker Thomas P. (Tip) O’Neill Jr. (D-Mass.) has kept his intention secret. Even Minority Leader Rep. Robert H. Michel (R-Ill.) remains in the dark, according to a congressional aide.
The parliamentarian of the House, William H. Brown, said McIntyre’s name will be on the list of names called to form a quorum to vote for Speaker of the House. But Brown said after that vote McIntyre’s future is in doubt.
He said it was likely that a Democratic member will ask McIntyre to step aside while other members are sworn in en masse. Or McIntyre could be allowed to receive the oath of office, but with the final right to his seat subject to the investigation of the House Administration Committee.
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