House fails to advance defense spending bill as government shutdown looms
(Worthy News) – The House voted against beginning debate on its annual defense appropriations bill, failing to overcome a key procedural hurdle to advance the must-pass legislation through the lower chamber by the end of this week.
Lawmakers voted 212-214 to begin consideration of the $826 billion spending bill, falling short of the majority vote needed to kick-start debate on more than 180 amendments lawmakers are seeking to attach to the funding bill. The vote deals a blow to GOP leaders who hoped to get the legislation through the lower chamber by the end of this week with just seven legislative days left before the Sept. 30 deadline.
Five Republicans voted to sink the measure, including Reps. Ralph Norman (R-SC), Dan Bishop (R-NC), Andy Biggs (R-AZ), Ken Buck (R-CO), and Matt Rosendale (R-MT).
The vote throws a wrench in lawmakers’ plans to get all 12 appropriations bills through Congress by the end of the month to avert a government shutdown. The House has only passed one of its appropriations bills, while the Senate is still working to get a spending bill on the floor for a vote. [ Source (Read More…) ]