A group of GOP members of the House tanked a procedural vote Wednesday in a show of revolt against the recent spending deal Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., recently agreed to with Democrats, a bill roundly criticized by the conservative wing of the party.
"We're making a statement that what the deal, as has been announced, that doesn't secure the border and that doesn't cut our spending, and that's gonna be passed apparently under suspension of the rules with predominantly Democrat votes is unacceptable," Rep Bob Good, R-Va., the new House Freedom Caucus Chairman told reporters.
It isn't surprising Freedom Caucus members would balk at the latest spending bill as it is quite similar to the caps set in the debt limit deal previous House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., made with President Joe Biden last year, with a $1.59 trillion top line and close to $69 billion in budget adjustments to increase non-defense dollars for most of fiscal 2024.
Democrats were joined by 13 Republicans to vote against the rule for a trio of bills, preventing the chamber from debating and voting on the measures, which are unrelated to spending. Rep. Blake Moore, R-Utah, the vice chair of the House GOP conference, changed his vote to oppose the rule shortly before the vote closed, a move that allows him to bring up the rule for another vote at another date.
The final vote tally was 216-203 against. Republican leadership canceled an afternoon vote series following the latest show of rebellion with shutdown deadlines of Jan 19, and Feb.2 just around the corner.
Republican Reps. Andy Biggs (Ariz.), Good, Chip Roy (Texas), Ralph Norman (S.C.), Anna Paulina Luna (Fla.), Matt Rosendale (Mont.), Marjorie Taylor Greene (Ga.), Scott Perry (Pa.), Eric Burlison (Mo.) and Andy Ogles (Tenn.) opposed the procedural vote.
When asked by reporters if conservatives will continue to tank rules as a sign of opposition against Johnson's spending deal, Good said, "My hope is to persuade the Speaker and the leadership and the entire Republican conference to not follow through with the deal as it's been announced."
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