The $19.1 billion disaster aid bill will have to wait until next week after a third GOP congressman on Thursday objected to passing the legislation by unanimous consent.
During a pro forma session of the House, Rep. John Rose of Tennessee became the third House Republican in a week to hold up final passage of the relief package, which has the support of President Trump and other Republicans as well as Democrats. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas prevented to a voice vote last Friday and Rep. Thomas Massie objected on Tuesday.
"Our nation is $22 trillion in debt, primed to pass nearly $20 billion in new spending while the majority of Congress is not even in Washington," Rose said according to The Hill, describing the effort to pass the legislation by unanimous consent "another act of irresponsible big government."
The package, which was approved by the Senate a week ago before lawmakers left for their recess, is expected to pass the House early next week after members return.
The House did pass a two-week extension of the National Flood Insurance Program, which had been set to expire on Saturday.
“The NFIP is a safety net for millions of Americans, and we could not afford to let it lapse,” Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), who sponsored the flood insurance extension bill, said in a statement. “We need to pass the disaster supplemental package as soon as possible to ensure the NFIP’s viability as we enter hurricane season.”
Rose did not block the extension, reportedly saying that he considered it differently because that program was already in effect.
