House speaker vote: Delegate's mic cut after outcry over colonies problem

On Friday, U.S. Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett spoke out against the nonvoting status of the Virgin Islands and other U.S. territories, causing mixed reactions after she accused the U.S. of having a "colonies problem" in the House.

After the first roll call vote, Plaskett, a Democrat, made a parliamentary inquiry and the exchange took place.

The House clerk was questioned by Plaskett regarding the reason why delegates from the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and the District of Columbia were not invited to participate in the House speaker vote.

She pointed out that the excluded delegates represent approximately four million Americans and that they have the highest per capita of veterans in the country.

The House clerk clarified to Plaskett that delegates-elect and the resident commissioner-elect are not eligible to participate in the House speaker election, amidst Republican protests of "order!".

The clerk stated that only representatives-elect are eligible to vote in the election of a speaker, as per Section 36 of the House Rules and Manual.

Plaskett's impassioned response prompted some Democrats to give a standing ovation, while Republicans began booing.

""The temporary solution has become permanent, and we need to address this issue," she stated."

Her mic appeared to have been cut off shortly thereafter.

Since 2015, Plaskett has been a non-voting delegate to the U.S. Virgin Islands and has witnessed the chamber elect seven different House speakers.