Stenographer snaps, rants on House floor
Updated: 2:06 p.m. ET, 10/17/2013
Washington (CNN) – Amid all the chaos of the last-minute deal in Washington, there was an unusual moment on the House floor moments after the bill passed.
A House stenographer and well-known employee calmly took to a microphone and began screaming.
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"Do not be deceived. God shall not be mocked. A House divided cannot stand," she said, according to a House GOP aide. After a few seconds, she was escorted out by the Sergeant-at-Arms, but an audio recording by Todd Zwillich of Public Radio International captured the rest of her rant.
"He will not be mocked, He will not be mocked, (don't touch me) He will not be mocked. The greatest deception here, is that this is not one nation under God. It never was. Had it been... it would not have been... No. it would not have been... the Constitution would not have been written by Free Masons... and go against God. You cannot serve two masters. You cannot serve two masters. Praise be to God, Lord Jesus Christ."
House members and aides were surprised and unsettled by the scene.
"I don't know, she just snapped," said a GOP aide.
CNN's Dana Bash spoke with several staffers who knew the woman well.
"She’s a well-known person, she’s a perfectly nice person, a good colleague, somebody who’s respectable and dependable, and this is very surprising to everybody who works with her," Bash reported on air.
"The Sergeant in Arms didn’t try to stop her because she works there and that’s where she’s situated," Rep. Peter King, R-New York, told Jake Tapper. "And she actually went up behind the podium where the president speaks from. They thought she was going to hand something to the speaker, and then they realized."
Officer Shennell S. Antrobus of Capitol Police told CNN she wasn’t arrested or charged and was transported to a local area hospital by DC Fire for further evaluation.
In terms of an ongoing investigation or further action about the stenographer, Antrobus said no such action will be taken.
"There is nothing more, from our end, that we are going to do," Antrobus said.
–CNN’s Deirdre Walsh, Steve Brusk, Dan Merica and Conor Finnegan contributed to this report.
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She's absolutely right....speak the truth!
She is my new hero. She spoke for all American Citizen.
Wow, isn't it amazing that we live in the 21st century and there are still people who embrace magic and superstition (i.e. religion)? What did this irrational outburst gain for her, the loss of her job? What a crazy person.
Whats happening is that Truth is coming out. No one wants to hear Truth anymore! God is soon to come and just because she is religious doesn't mean crazy. Its an eye opener for all of us to really see that this government is be runned by people who really doesnt have the people or nation to heart. How can you cut the workers pay and still keep getting paid yourself! its time to wake up and see Truth. I support her and glad she stood up!
"One Nation Under God" was never a part of the constitution or the founding of this country. What she is quoting is the Pledge Of Allegiance which itself did not originally contain "Under God" when it was first written in 1892. The "Under God" line was added in 1948 by a chaplain who claims he took it from Lincoln's Gettysburg address, however it is taken out-of-context. This country was founded on Freedom of Religion which is part of the First Amendment and Bill of Rights.
lol that african-american lady was on it in a heart beat. "Ain't nobody got time for dat."
Yes, just what this nation needs: more religious preaching, which in turn instills more hate and a persecuted America. Most religious folk don't realize how their "values" - and I use that term lightly - are so diluted and contaminate the rest of the rational people. Keep spewing hate and invoking God in a subject that is not even about religion.
Fired. Go home.
Is anyone else wondering why the House is still employing a stenographer?
Are the elevator operators still on the payroll, too?
They didn't notice for a little bit because they are so used to crazy people making crazy speeches they just thought it was another te abagg er.
I'm pretty sure if this 'God' they all talk about wanted to intervene, he certainly could.
Maybe this defeat of the teab agger s IS God's plan... anybody ever think of that? (now we get to see all the nut jobs claim they know what God's plan is... all the while telling everyone else no one does).
Cracks me up... I thought it'd be Boner who snapped, but he was three sheets to the wind.
Can she be a write in candidate for the next election?
What everyone seems to forget is that there is NO ROOM for religion in Politics!!!
Wow, reading your comments shows how ignorant and stupid we are becoming as a country. Then again you people voted for a man who voted to kill babies who survive botched abortions, send tax money to I'm sure God is smiling down on you guys about how much smarter you are.
Dear Wear a bowie tie – If you'd ever seen a written transcript of an electronically recorded proceeding, you'd understand why the human ear and brain are still essential to get an accurate, certified written record. Electronic recording is fine and dandy as long as everyone speaks one at a time, no one has a difficult accent, no one sneezes, coughs, shuffles papers, mumbles, speaks softly, trails off, etc. I hope that answers your question. P.S. You spelled "Dodo" wrong.
Her termination should be immediate.
She's not crazy she is speaking out about God our savior. She told the truth and that's something politicians don't like. I pray to God everyday for this country. its getting worse.
Oh religion, you've never cause any trouble before.
And so the rapture begins...
Yup, some more of that good old time religion. Takes someone perfectly normal and responsible and turns them psychotic
She's also my new favorate. Nuff said.
I am willing to bet it was dehydration and/or stress that led to a temporary lapse in reason and judgement. Might make for a good Dan Brown plot. I don't think she is a radical or anything. Willing to give her the benefit of the doubt.
I don't blame this poor woman for her outburst but I think she got the count a little wrong. When you look at the outside influences involved in politics there a way more than just two masters. Just look well known external influences the GOP and especially the Tea Party claim to follow everyday. Grover Norquist's tax pledge, The Heritage Foundation, FreedomWorks, NRA, etc. These people and groups literally fund the candidates that will promise to follow their charters regardless of how it might affect the country as a whole. So the next time you are sitting in front of your TV and are trying to figure why so many legislators are saying the same things over and over again regardless of the topic or questions you will now understand that they are being "paid" to do it. Just like the "customers" in the infomercials except they don't make law.
She just couldn't take it anymore...she had to let off some steam...she IS correct,though.
Meet your next Congresswoman from the great state of Alabama!
They had her evaluated, for having a moment of personal truth. We can serve only one master. Mine is Jesus Christ. But, I succumb to our government like he told us to do. God is in control.