-Lawmakers Clash Over Budget Hearings
By Jerromie S. Walters
The euphoria on Capitol Hill on Monday, December 9, 2024, was nothing short of chaos and a bloody scene as members of the House of Representatives spewed in a violent clash over what the Pro-Koffa bloc denounced as “illegal budget hearings” orchestrated by the self-styled “Majority Bloc.”
A full-blown brawl
The quarrel, which curved into a full-blown brawl, saw lawmakers from the Majority Bloc confront their counterparts from the Pro Koffa bloc. Tensions heightened rapidly after the “Majority Bloc” requested police intervention. Pro-Koffa lawmakers accused the officers of employing excessive force, The scene turned violent, with lawmakers exchanging blows while some other individuals sustained bloody injuries. Among those arrested was the Chief of Office Staff of Montserrado County District #10 Representative Yekeh Y. Kolubah.
The backdrop of this conflict somehow was the recent ruling by the Supreme Court of the Republic of Liberia, which had addressed the constitutionality of the Majority Bloc’s actions just days prior. The court determined that any proceedings by House members that deviated from the intent of Articles 33 and 49 were ultra vires, or beyond their legal authority.
Arguably, this decision set the stage for a turn to the status quo but the “Majority Bloc” proceeded with plans to review the proposed 2025 National Budget, despite warnings from the House leadership against government entities participating in the hearings. But on Monday, December 9, 2024, officials from the Executive Branch honored an invitation from the anti-Koffa bloc to begin reviewing the proposed 2025 National Budget.
This also came after the House of Representative Leadership warned government entities against appearing for budget hearings conducted by the majority group. Members of the Pro-Koffa Group, feeling sidelined by the Executive’s engagement with the anti-Koffa bloc, vehemently resisted the budget hearing.
The forceful hearing
The “Majority Bloc” through its Committee on Ways, Means, and Finance, chaired by Maryland County District 1 Representative P. Mike Jury, officially commenced revenue hearings into Liberia’s draft national budget for fiscal year 2025 on Monday, December9, 2024. During the start of the controversial revenue hearing, Representative Jury, said the essence of legislative budgeting is to review the government’s plan, to track the government’s revenues and expenditures, and to ensure the government has enough money to cover its activities and achieve the government’s set goals.
He assured the public of a renewed and robust oversight into the execution of the FY2025 budget when approved by the August body and will include further fiscal measures to be put in place, like the viewing and garnishing rights given to the LRA; hearings on quarterly performance reports, among others. In remarks, Deputy Acting Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Hon. Tanneh G. Brunson, disclosed that the expenditures for the ensuing year are aligned to the AAID and intends to address some of the country’s development challenges.
Hon. Brunson says the amount of US$745.69 million, representing 88 percent of the total expenditure, is forecasted as recurrent revenue. This amount indicates a 10 percent increment when compared to FY2024. Recurrent Expenditures Forecast Compensation of employees is projected at US$315.17 million, or 42.3 percent of the total budget. Also speaking was the Deputy Commissioner General for Technical Affairs of the Liberia Revenue Authority, Gabriel Montgomery, who recounted that in 2024, the LRA was charged with collecting US$738.86 million.
“I am pleased to report that as of November 30, 2024, we have successfully collected US$619.9 million, representing 84% of our total revenue target and about 90% of our domestic revenue target. This performance not only underscores our commitment to revenue collection but also reflects the hard work of our dedicated staff and the partnerships we forged with various stakeholders. Honorable legislator and members of the press, I am elated to report that the amount collected at the stage in the current year is the highest the LRA has collected in a single year since its establishment. We are indeed committed to achieving the billion-dollar mark that has eluded us for many years”, the LRA boss noted.
He said the LRA for FY 2025 has been tasked with raising a total of US$851.8 million, with the core revenue expected to amount to US$833 million and contingent revenue at US$18.8 million. According to him, it marks a substantial 15.3% increase over the recast budget of this year and requires a united effort, innovative strategies, and a forward-thinking approach.
Koffa is disappointed
Upon his return to Capitol Hill, House Speaker J. Fonati Koffa condemned the events that had unfolded in his absence, and accused government officials of complicity in what he termed a “treasonous plot.”
In an interaction with reporters, Koffa expressed his alarm over the heavy police presence, viewing it as a blatant attempt by certain lawmakers—the so-called “absentee majority”—to undermine the rule of law. “It is now abundantly clear that the police are involved in this crisis, and it is a grave concern,” Koffa asserted. “However, we, the people’s representatives, will not be intimidated or afraid of those who seek to silence us.”
“A Threat to Democracy”
Following the drama, Margibi County Senator Hon. Nathaniel F. McGill labeled the police’s invasion of the Capitol Building as a direct threat to the nation’s democratic principles. He expressed outrage at the unprecedented physical assault on lawmakers by law enforcement, a breach that raised alarms about the integrity of the legislative process.
“The Capitol Building is the ground of the people,” McGill declared, stressing that any police intervention must be formally requested. He condemned the intrusion as a violation of the separation of powers, calling for accountability from Police Director Gregory Coleman.
“Where Is Our President?”
Meanwhile, Gbarpolu County Senator Amara Konneh urged President Joseph Boakai to take decisive action to restore order within the House of Representatives. In a passionate Facebook statement, he emphasized the need for the President to unite the government, especially in light of the Supreme Court’s recent ruling.
“President Boakai’s success in the Executive Branch is intrinsically linked to a well-functioning Legislature,” he stated, appealing for immediate steps to foster collaboration and effectiveness in governance as the nation approaches the critical year of 2025.
Senator Konneh lamented the lack of significant legislative achievements over the past year, which he argued has eroded public optimism. He called for a careful examination of the upcoming Fiscal Year 2025 budget to prevent political manipulation and ensure it genuinely serves the interests of the nation. “This means serious work!” he declared, underscoring the urgency for action amidst economic challenges, stagnant prices, and rising joblessness that plague Liberia.
The ruling
In its ruling over the weekend, the Supreme Court reaffirmed its authority as the ultimate arbiter of constitutional matters, clarifying that the Speaker remains the presiding officer regardless of attendance. The court highlighted a legislative gap regarding attendance enforcement and reiterated that any actions by House members not aligned with Articles 33 and 49 are considered ultra vires.
Article 33 of the 1986 Constitution of the Republic of Liberia states that “A simple majority of each House shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business, but a lower number may adjourn from day to day and compel the attendance of absent members. Whenever the House of Representatives and the Senate shall
meet in joint session, the presiding officer of the House of Representatives shall preside.”
Consequently,
Article 49 provides: “The House of Representatives shall elect once every six years a Speaker who shall be the presiding officer of that body, a Deputy Speaker, and such other officers as shall ensure the proper functioning of the House. The Speaker, the Deputy Speaker, and other officers so elected may be removed from office for cause by resolution of a two-thirds majority of the members of the House.”
