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This unwritten rule stems from the 90s, which is why it's called the Hastert Rule. It's much easier to practice when you don't have a one seat majority or a heavily factionalized conference. In the current makeup of the House it makes nearly everything besides messaging bills impossible.

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Let us not forget Mr. Hastert left government "service" in disgrace, for reasons somewhat akin to charges (if a bit more salacious) that have been voiced about Hastert's fellow wrestling coach-cum-politician Gym Jordan.

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Didn't know that. Why is it allowed?

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As an unwritten "rule" it was not so much "allowed" as it was just adhered to by, in particular, the Republican side of the aisle.

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He or She who runs the House makes the rules.

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It's just the Republican way. The tyranny of the minority. Allowing a minority of the Republican caucus to stop any bill they oppose, regardless of how popular the bill is among the Republican majority, let alone the Congress as a whole.

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