Amid confusion and division over how to fund the government next fiscal year, members of Congress were told Thursday afternoon they could go home for a week, Fox News has learned.
The vote was originally scheduled for Friday and Saturday, but lawmakers have now been told by the House Majority Party’s Office that they would have enough time if the vote were to take place over the weekend.
Otherwise, lawmakers are likely to return as early as Tuesday for the Yom Kippur holiday, leaving less than a week for Congress to finalize a spending deal by Sept. 30. If no action is taken, the government risks falling into crisis. Partial shutdown.
Officially, a majority vote is needed to adjourn this week, but it’s unclear whether enough Republicans will agree for the bill to succeed.
McCarthy unveils new plan to avoid shutdown at closed-door national Republican party meeting
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) is discussing how to fund the government. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
The House Rules Committee will remain in recess over the weekend, and discussion on fiscal year 2024 spending will continue, Republican Whip Tom Emmer’s office told members.
This is the second time this week that a key vote to advance one of House Republicans’ 12 spending bills, specifically targeting defense spending, has failed to pass, dealing an embarrassing blow to Republican leadership. It happened a few hours after I gave it.
“We shouldn’t leave town. The border is on fire. We need to get to work,” Republican Texas Rep. Chip Roy wrote on X (formerly Twitter).
‘You’re wrong’ rants over stopgap spending deal that divides House Republicans
“Honestly, I hope we stay here, secure our borders, and pass a continuing resolution that includes most of the elements of HR2. If they… If they want to reject that, I think so.” Time is pushing forward, and the American people will speak out. ”
Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) is one of the Republicans who doesn’t want the House to formally adjourn until Tuesday.
But some admitted they felt it was their only option.
“Monday is a holiday coming up, and we already know there will be issues with attendance,” Rep. Steve Womack (R-Arkansas) told reporters this week, citing several Republican absentees. Ta. He said: “I don’t think the coaches have any choice but to basically send these guys home and give them a chance to see a goal next week and come back.”
Most of the disagreements stem from a temporary measure that would extend this year’s spending agreement, known as a continuing resolution (CR), and fund the government for 30 days, while lawmakers race to agree on 12 spending bills. The focus is on passing a major funding bill.
Rep. Steve Womack (R-Arkansas) told reporters that canceling the remaining votes this week was Republican leadership’s only option. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
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The Republican CR proposal includes significant spending cuts over those 30 days. However, several conservatives still say they will not vote for CR no matter what, saying it would extend the priorities of previous Democratic Congresses.
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) has a razor-thin House majority, so he only needs to lose about four votes to pass something without Democratic support.
