By Grace Q. Bryant
The House of Representatives has voted to extend the suspension of Bong County District 3 Representative J. Marvin Cole and Montserrado County District 13 Representative Edward P. Flomo for an additional 30 session days.
With this latest decision, the two lawmakers join a growing list of suspended representatives, including Speaker Fonati Koffa, Reps. Dixon Seboe, Jacob Debee, Frank Saah Foko Jr., Eugene J.M. Kollie, Yekeh Kolubah, Alex Sunnyboy Noah, Musa Bility, Muka Kamara, Luther Collins, Thomas Goshua, Zinnah Norman, Roland Opee Cooper, and Rev. Samuel Enders.
The decision comes amid ongoing defiance from the two legislators, who have continued to appear at the Capitol despite their initial suspension on November 19, 2024.
Cole and Flomo argue that the House lacks the authority to bar them from performing their elected duties, citing a previous Supreme Court ruling that, in their view, limits the Majority Bloc’s power to impose such sanctions.
Their suspension was set to expire today, but lawmakers ruled that their continued presence and defiance of the body’s decision constituted grounds for an extension. Meanwhile, Montserrado County District 15 Representative Abu B. Kamara, has been reinstated after fully serving his suspension.
Some lawmakers, including Grand Gedeh County District 1 Representative Jeremiah Sokan, defended the extension, warning that failure to enforce legislative discipline could weaken the credibility of the institution.
“If we permit lawmakers to defy plenary decisions without consequence, we risk eroding the authority of this body,” Sokan asserted.
However, others have called for a more diplomatic resolution, cautioning that prolonged internal conflict could overshadow the legislature’s core responsibilities.
“We must not allow political grievances to take precedence over governance. A diplomatic solution is in the best interest of both the institution and the Liberian people,” remarked Representative Emmanuel Dahn.
Despite these calls for reconciliation, the Majority Bloc has signaled its firm stance on enforcing the suspension, warning that continued defiance by Rep. Cole and Flomo could result in even harsher sanctions.
