New York Democratic Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is running for president in 2020 and used a tweet during President Donald Trump’s State of the Union to fundraise for her campaign.
She tweeted this gif of her eye rolling during the President’s speech.
Agree? Chip in $5 so we can put an end to this. https://t.co/nKcdxOJAhY #SOTU pic.twitter.com/4Hkotw8e5S
— Kirsten Gillibrand (@SenGillibrand) February 6, 2019
“Agree? Chip in $5 so we can put an end to this,” Gillibrand wrote, sharing the image of her showing disgust over President Trump’s address, particularly him touting new jobs created.
“Wages are rising at the fastest pace in decades, and growing for blue collar workers, who I promised to fight for, faster than anyone else. Nearly 5 million Americans have been lifted off food stamps,” Trump said when Gillibrand sent out her tweet. “The United States economy is growing almost twice as fast today as when I took office, and we are considered far and away the hottest economy anywhere in the world.”
But there’s one big problem with the Senator’s tweet: it might be a gross violation of House rules.
Broadcast coverage and recordings of House floor proceedings may not be used for any political purpose under House Rule 5, clause 2(c)(1). https://t.co/K19eXsxLyN https://t.co/9hTcPZ7w5o
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 6, 2019
The Associated Press’s Zeke Miller tweeted, “Broadcast coverage and recordings of House floor proceedings may not be used for any political purpose under House Rule 5, clause(c)(1).”
The rule that follows seems just as applicable. “In addition, under House Rule 11, clause 4(b), radio and television tapes and film of any coverage of House committee proceedings may not be used, or made available for use, as partisan political campaign material to promote or oppose the candidacy of any person for public office.”
Obviously, Gillibrand’s clip contains a television clip, in direct violation of House Rule 11.
This is not the first time this has come up. Miller notes that concerns about breaking House rules during presidential campaigns was also a concern when Republican Senator Rand Paul ran for president in 2016.
This was a thing when Rand Paul ran as well https://t.co/F15wfedgt4
— Zeke Miller (@ZekeJMiller) February 6, 2019
Gillibrand announced last month that she was forming an exploratory committee to determine if she should run to become the Democratic nominee to challenge President Trump in 2020.
Perhaps she should explore House ethics rules as well?