Marjorie Taylor Greene firmly opposes rules package for appropriations bills as shutdown nears.
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene to Vote Against Rule Package for Four Appropriations Bills
Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) is making a bold move by announcing her intention to vote against the rule package for four appropriations bills. This decision comes as a result of her opposition to the Ukraine aid included in two of the bills. Greene’s stance adds to the House’s troubles, creating a challenging situation for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).
McCarthy’s Reversal on Ukraine Aid
Initially, McCarthy had stated that he would remove a provision from the Department of Defense appropriations bill that allocated $300 million to Ukraine. However, he changed his mind and decided to keep the provision in the bill due to the presence of Ukraine funding in the State and Foreign Operations appropriations bill. McCarthy believed that this would influence Greene’s vote, and his prediction was confirmed on Sunday.
“I’ve been asking for Ukraine funding to be a standalone vote, not cash hidden inside of other bills. For a moment, it seemed like that would happen. But it didn’t,” Greene said in a statement. “Voting yes on the rule means more money for Ukraine. It’s that simple. No one who wants peace should vote yes on the rule to advance the bills. That’s why I’m a HARD NO on the rules package and a blank check for Ukraine!”
Greene’s statement highlights her strong opposition to the inclusion of Ukraine funding within the bills and her determination to vote against the rule package.
Potential Implications for the Bills
The defense appropriations bill directly allocates funds to Ukraine, while the state and foreign operations bill does not specify a dollar amount. Amendments to remove the Ukraine aid from both bills may be proposed, but if Republican members reject the rule, the House may not have the opportunity to vote on these amendments. This resistance poses a challenge to the House’s plan of advancing the appropriations bills.
The four appropriations bills, including state and foreign operations, defense, agriculture, and homeland appropriations, were combined in the hope of facilitating debate and progress. However, conservative holdouts have hindered the process, leading to further resistance.
Impending Government Shutdown
If Congress fails to pass all 12 appropriations bills or a continuing resolution by October 1, the government will face a shutdown. Passing all 12 bills before the deadline is impossible, leaving a continuing resolution as the only viable option. However, at least nine House Republicans oppose the proposed continuing resolution, including those who also reject a clean continuing resolution expected from the Senate.
House GOP Leadership had aimed to pass a conservative continuing resolution to strengthen their position in negotiations with the Senate. Unfortunately, the holdouts prevented this strategy from materializing. Additionally, the hope of persuading the holdouts to support a continuing resolution by presenting spending-slashing appropriations bills has not been successful.
Unpredictable Voting Patterns
House GOP Leadership has faced unexpected challenges when members vote against a rule, as some members change their votes unexpectedly. This unpredictability has caught them off guard, hindering their ability to operate as a cohesive team.
Despite efforts by House Majority Whip Tom Emmer to encourage members not to vote against a rule, the situation remains uncertain. Emmer emphasized the importance of passing procedural motions to maintain unity within the team.
As the government approaches a potential shutdown, the outcome of these appropriations bills and the continuing resolution remains uncertain.
How might Rep. Greene’s decision to vote against the rule package for the appropriations bills impact the Biden administration’s stance on Ukraine?
Enough votes to pass either bill. This could result in a setback for the Biden administration’s stance on Ukraine and further complicate the relationship between the United States and the Ukrainian government.
Additionally, the decision of Rep. Greene to vote against the rule package adds to the challenges faced by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. As the leader of the Republican party in the House, McCarthy must balance the differing opinions and priorities of his caucus members. The opposition from Greene could potentially fracture the party’s unity and hinder McCarthy’s ability to effectively lead and pass legislation.
Moreover, this situation highlights the broader divisions within the Republican party concerning foreign aid and international relations. While some Republicans support providing assistance to Ukraine as a strategic move against Russian aggression, others, like Greene, hold a more isolationist stance and are hesitant to allocate funds to foreign countries.
Overall, Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s decision to vote against the rule package for the appropriations bills reflects a growing division within the Republican party and poses potential challenges for House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. The presence of Ukraine aid in the bills has sparked strong opposition, highlighting the differing opinions on foreign aid within the party. The outcome of this vote will have implications not only for the relationship between the United States and Ukraine but also for the unity and effectiveness of the Republican party in the House.
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