House likely to adjourn early for August recess due to prolonged spending battle.

The House Plans to Adjourn Early for August Recess ​Amidst Disagreements

The‍ House of Representatives has ‍decided to adjourn for its August recess one ​day ‍earlier than‍ originally planned. This change ‌comes as lawmakers remain divided on the agriculture ⁢appropriations bill, ⁤specifically⁣ due to disagreements among ‍GOP members regarding spending cuts. A House GOP aide confirmed this development to the Washington Examiner.

Stalled Negotiations and Intraparty Division

Initially, lawmakers were scheduled to leave Washington, D.C., on Friday afternoon after voting on⁤ the agriculture⁣ bill. However, plans were altered as ⁣centrist Republicans and House Freedom Caucus members found themselves at odds over certain aspects of the appropriations bill, according to a senior GOP member.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA) acknowledged the ongoing negotiations, stating, “We’ve had ‌a ⁤number of members talking about the ⁢back-and-forth on the negotiations. There are members who want deeper​ cuts, while others have been ​vocal about not supporting the bill under deeper cuts. So we’re still having some fun with negotiations.”

The House Rules​ Committee began ‌considering the appropriations bill on Wednesday, which provides funding for agriculture and the Food and Drug Administration. However, talks were stalled ⁣due to a standoff between hardline⁤ conservatives and GOP leadership over overall spending, as ⁣reported by members.

Representative⁢ Ben Cline (R-VA) expressed his concerns, saying, “The ⁤bill is not eliminating as⁢ much ‌wasteful spending as it‍ could. We have identified additional areas and provided ‍suggestions where those savings can be found.” Discussions regarding these⁤ proposed cuts are still ongoing.

Furthermore, the intraparty division also arises from a ‍provision ‌pushed by conservatives to overturn a Biden ​administration ⁣rule allowing‍ abortion pills to be sold​ through the mail and in retail pharmacies. ⁢Several moderate​ Republicans‍ have voiced ⁢their opposition to this provision, threatening to vote ⁣against the ‌bill if it is included.

Representative Mike Lawler (R-NY) explained his‍ stance,‌ stating,‍ “I​ have​ said from the⁤ very beginning⁢ that I would not support legislation that would ban abortion nationwide. To me, some of these ‍issues ⁣should be dealt with at the state ⁤level, and that’s it. Some states allow it to be mailed, some ⁢states don’t. ​But that should be a decision made ⁤by the states and the FDA.”

Tight Deadline and Potential⁣ Government Shutdown

House Minority Leader ‌Kevin McCarthy can only afford ⁣to​ lose five GOP votes if all ⁤Democrats vote against‌ the legislation, which is highly likely if the abortion provision​ is included. The House is scheduled to meet on Thursday afternoon ‌to vote on the military construction appropriations bill ‍before adjourning until further notice.

Congress must pass its annual‌ budget by the end of September to ‍avoid a government shutdown when the new fiscal year begins on October 1. The House is set to reconvene on September 12, leaving them with just 18 days to‌ avert a potential shutdown.

However, this year’s budget process has‌ become even⁢ more complicated. Some Freedom Caucus members⁢ are already expressing opposition to the spending levels agreed upon in the debt ‌limit deal and threatening to vote against budget legislation unless spending is reduced. These sentiments ⁣are likely to create a clash between the House ⁣and Senate ⁣Democrats, who are likely drafting budgets with higher spending figures.

Despite these challenges, McCarthy remains confident in the House’s ability to pass ⁢its budget before the end of September.

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