House fails to pass Defense Bill in second procedural vote.
House Republicans Fail Again to Pass Defense Appropriations Bill
House Republicans faced another setback as they failed for a second time to pass a procedural vote that would have allowed consideration of the $826 billion defense appropriations bill by the full chamber.
This latest development comes amidst a bitter battle over spending within the Republican caucus, just nine days before a potential government shutdown.
For hardliners in the party, the defense bill itself is not the main issue. They are determined to hold House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) to a limit of $1.471 trillion in total discretionary spending for fiscal year 2024.
Defense spending makes up the majority of U.S. discretionary spending.
The hardliners within the Republican caucus are refusing to approve any spending until they are guaranteed that all 12 appropriations bills will be considered under “regular order.” This means that each bill will be debated and amendments can be offered.
In an attempt to resolve their differences, House Republicans held a closed-door meeting on September 20. Some members reported progress being made.
“We made a lot of progress on it,” said Rep. Ralph Norman (R-N.C.). He had initially opposed the measure but now supports it.
He added, “We’ve been pushing for a long time to get regular order. We’re going to do that.”
The goal for Republicans was to have the appropriations measures approved by September 30, the end of the fiscal year.
However, the apparent solution brokered among House Republicans by Mr. McCarthy fell apart on the House floor when several Republicans joined Democrats in preventing the defense appropriations bill from coming to a vote.
With the measure’s failure, Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), chair of the House Rules Committee, voted “no” in order to present the bill for a third time.
House Democrats criticized the disarray among Republicans, while some Republicans defended the democratic process and the need for members to express their positions.
If Congress does not authorize new spending, the federal government will shut down after September 30.
The Senate has also been slow in passing appropriations bills, leading to further concerns.
Senators are hesitant to comment on the situation in the House, but some indirectly acknowledged the logjam.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) emphasized the need to avoid a government shutdown, stating, “Let’s stop this talk about shutdowns and just get it done.”
Jackson Richman and Joseph Lord contributed to this report.
What is the significance of going through the regular legislative process for the H bill in terms of transparency and accountability in government spending?
H bill will go through the regular legislative process, including committee hearings and floor debates, rather than being rushed through as part of a larger spending package.
This approach is seen as a way to increase transparency and accountability in government spending. By considering each appropriations bill separately, lawmakers can thoroughly review and discuss the funding priorities for each specific area, such as defense, healthcare, education, and transportation.
However, this insistence on “regular order” has created a deadlock within the Republican caucus. Some members argue that without a guarantee for regular order, the party risks compromising its fiscal conservative values and allowing wasteful spending to go unchecked.
House Republicans have made previous attempts to pass the defense appropriations bill but have been unsuccessful due to divisions within their own ranks. This latest failure underscores the challenges facing the Republican Party as they attempt to navigate the complex and contentious issue of government spending.
With just nine days before a potential government shutdown, the pressure is mounting for House Republicans to find a resolution. If a spending bill is not passed by the deadline, non-essential government services could be interrupted, putting the economy and national security at risk.
Meanwhile, Democrats are seizing on the Republican infighting to highlight their own commitment to passing the defense appropriations bill. They argue that the bill is crucial for ensuring the readiness and capabilities of the U.S. military and that any delay or obstruction is a detriment to national security.
The fate of the defense appropriations bill now hangs in the balance as House Republicans continue to grapple with their internal divisions. The outcome of this struggle will not only impact defense spending but also set the tone for future spending battles and the overall direction of the Republican Party.
As the clock ticks down to the potential government shutdown, all eyes are on House Republicans and their ability to find common ground and pass the necessary funding measures. The future of defense appropriations and the functioning of the U.S. government are at stake, and it remains to be seen whether the party can overcome their differences for the sake of the nation.
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