Something really unusual just happened in the House. When the House returned from being at ease, Majority Leader Mike Moyle moved for a call of the House. That means all members must be present and no one can enter or leave until the call is lifted. The motion passed, 60-8. The only “no” votes were from Reps. Giddings, Hanks, Moon, Nate, Scott, Shepherd, Zito and Zollinger.

Once the doors were locked, it was ascertained that two members, Reps. Jordan and Anderson, were absent but had excused absences from their committees this afternoon. Moyle asked for unanimous consent to excuse them from the call, and no one objected.

Then, Moyle said, “Mr. Speaker, I move that the House proceed.” The motion was seconded, and House Speaker Scott Bedke called for a voice vote. “The ayes clearly have it, and the House will proceed with its business,” he announced.

Then, Rep. Kelley Packer, R-McCammon, made an unusual motion. “I would move that the good lady from District 7 finish the reading of the current bill that we are on,” she said. That motion also was seconded, and it passed, 58-10. That means that Giddings was being called on to replace the House clerk and complete the full reading of the 21-page bill that she’d forced to be read in full. The 10 “no” votes were from Reps. Chaney, DeMordaunt, Dixon, Giddings, Hanks, Moon, Nate, Shepherd, Zito and Zollinger.

“The good lady is asked if she would come forward and read the bill,” Bedke said. When Giddings asked if that was a yes-or-no question, Bedke said, “I find myself in a position where I don’t know that I can compel you. But the body has asked that you read it. … If you don’t wish, to then you may decline.”

Giddings said, “I would be happy to read the bill, Mr. Speaker. Do you want me to come forward or read it here?” Bedke said, “I think it would be appropriate for you to come forward.”

Now, she’s reading the bill.