House Republicans Adjourn Early After Rebels Block Defense Bill

House Republican leaders will send the chamber home after votes at 5:15 pm Tuesday, two GOP sources confirmed, after rebels blocked a procedural vote that would have teed up action on the annual defense authorization bill. Votes had been scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday. The chamber already had a scheduled recess next week and will return July 13.

The House has passed that bill multiple times but it is stalled in the Senate. Johnson told reporters Tuesday that it makes no sense for House Republicans to stop progress because some Senate Democrats are refusing to do their job.

Rebels Seek Leverage on Must-Pass Bills Rep.

Anna Paulina Luna had proposed an amendment to the defense bill that would have folded in the voting reform measure. Johnson said an amendment was not necessary and instead backed a procedural mechanism to merge the defense bill with the voting legislation as it is sent to the Senate.

Luna argued that adding the voting measures to the base text would result in a better chance of jamming the Senate.

“I know procedure. I'm not stupid. I'm going to fight on behalf of the American people.”

Last week the same group blocked action on two regular funding bills. This week they blocked the National Defense Authorization Act. Most major legislation in the Senate requires 60 votes to advance, requiring support from some Democrats.