(ConservativeFreePress.com) – House Republicans are starting their August recess early after they canceled next week’s votes because of difficulties in passing the annual government funding bills that remain. The Republican leaders have confirmed the change in the schedule, arguing that part of the reasoning is the funeral of Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas). However, the major issue is that the party has struggled to finalize many of its funding bills as there are internal disagreements relating to reproductive rights and spending levels.
The House GOP had previously aimed to pass all 12 annual funding bills by next week. However, the votes have been delayed on many of these bills.
House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) highlighted that the Democrats’ consistent opposition to appropriations bills has compounded the challenge. This is because some Republican members have also voted against some of the bills. Scalise argued that around 70 percent of government funding has already been sent to the Senate, so it will be up to the upper chamber to take action.
The House canceled a vote on the Department of Energy funding bill because of concerns about its cost. Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas) and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) both criticized the bill.
Funding for the Department of Interior is also still uncertain with many conservatives including Rep. Ralph Norman (R-S.C.) being undecided as they are concerned about the insufficient spending cuts. The House has managed to pass four of its annual funding plans so far. The Senate has yet to pass any funding plans for the 2025 fiscal year. In order for anything to pass it would need to meet the 60-vote threshold.
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