Rep. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez joined Republicans to advance a slate of GOP-backed bills in a procedurally pivotal House vote, The Hill reported that she and Rep. Jared Golden crossed party lines to adopt a rules resolution on Sept. 1, 2026.
The Hill wrote that the rule was adopted 210-208 after the two Democrats voted with most Republicans to set up debate and final votes on a batch of measures, including a GOP-backed resolution denouncing socialism.
That Sept. 1 vote blindsided Democratic leaders, The Hill reported, and Democratic Whip Katherine Clark told reporters, “That came as a surprise,” after the pair voted in favor while leadership expected party-line opposition.
Politico reported that Gluesenkamp Perez and Golden crossed again on Sept. 15, 2026, marking “the second time in three weeks” the two lawmakers backed a GOP rule to tee up votes on bills that would expand presidential sanction authority and roll back some EPA regulations.
Politico’s account said the Sept. 15 rule passed 214-211, with two Republicans voting no, and quoted Speaker Mike Johnson saying he would have secured the votes without Democratic help.
Both outlets described the votes as highly unusual because minority-party members historically vote against rules to preserve the majority-minority norm in the House. The Hill noted five Republicans opposed the Sept. 1 rule, and Politico described negotiations that produced the later vote.
Gluesenkamp Perez represents a Washington district President Trump carried in 2024 and is running for reelection, Politico noted, a dynamic that lawmakers and analysts say may shape how she handles close procedural fights.
House Democratic leaders privately warned of consequences after the initial defection, Politico reported that Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries had threatened a “serious response” but later signaled no public punishment after private talks.
Why it matters: procedural rule votes decide whether bills reach the floor at all. When members of the minority break precedent and vote with the majority, they can alter the calendar and the party’s leverage, which both The Hill and Politico flagged as the reason the two defections drew sharp attention.
Marie Gluesenkamp Perez’s votes have prompted discussion within the Democratic conference about party rules and discipline, The Hill reported, and renewed scrutiny of vulnerable districts ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Sources
- The Hill — reported the Sept. 1, 2026 rule vote was adopted 210-208 and that Reps. Marie Gluesenkamp Perez and Jared Golden voted with Republicans.
- Politico — reported the Sept. 15, 2026 vote was the second time in three weeks the pair backed a GOP rule and said the later vote passed 214-211 while teeing up bills on sanctions and EPA rollbacks.
