House Republican leaders have canceled their scheduled votes for Tuesday evening due to inclement weather just days before the government is set to enter a partial shutdown if lawmakers can not pass a funding extension by Friday.
The week’s first votes are now expected around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to a whip notice sent to lawmakers. However, members will move forward with debate on several bills on Tuesday afternoon, according to the notice.
NEW: House has canceled votes for this evening due to inclement weather, per Dem whip notice.
Lawmakers now expected to meet tomorrow at 1:30 for first votes of the week
— Cami Mondeaux (@cami_mondeaux) January 16, 2024
The Rules Committee will attempt to meet for its scheduled Tuesday meeting as well to prepare legislation for votes later this week, although it is likely that some committee members may be delayed in their travels to Washington due to the weather.
The canceled votes come just three days ahead of the first government spending deadline, after which funding for a slate of federal agencies will lapse if an extension does not pass through Congress.
Senate and House leaders unveiled their proposal for a stopgap measure on Sunday, pushing the spending deadlines of Friday and Feb. 2 to March 1 and March 8, respectively. The new agreement would give lawmakers six weeks to finalize their must-pass spending legislation and fund the government for fiscal 2024.
The Senate is expected to meet for votes on Tuesday evening to file cloture on legislation that will be used to advance the short-term continuing resolution, teeing it up for a vote sometime this week. After that, the CR must make its way through the House, where it is expected to be brought to the floor under suspension of rules, a tactic that will allow leadership to overcome conservative pushback.
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The legislation is expected to pass the lower chamber with support from Democrats and centrist Republicans.
Lawmakers then will move forward with a “robust appropriations process,” Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) said Friday, working under the $1.66 trillion agreement he brokered with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) earlier this month. Several conservatives have come out against that deal, setting the stage for what could be another tense spending fight ahead.