Welcome to the autocracy in Congress. This is infuriating. Read how the Republicans under the leadership of Chair David Dreier (R-CA) are using the House Rules Committee to block Democrats from having their legislation come to a vote:

Dreier now rules the House Rules Committee with an iron fist and routinely prevents Democrats from getting votes on their more liberal ideas.

On many high-profile issues, Dreier, whose committee decides the rules for each debate, has refused to allow Democrats an opportunity to offer a substitute amendment on the House floor. He has infuriated Democrats by denying them votes on their plans for everything from unemployment insurance to tax cuts.

This may sound like inside baseball, but it has a huge impact on what bills pass the House and become laws....By preventing Democrats from offering amendments, Republicans virtually eliminate the possibility of the House passing legislation not endorsed or written by GOP leaders.

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer (D-Md.) said the GOP's "autocratic" rule is thwarting the will of the estimated 140 million people represented by the 206 Democrats in Congress.