Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) stated Tuesday inclement climate in Washington, D.C., is “a part of the issue” Home Republicans are grappling with as they give the impression of being to fast-track their “massive, lovely invoice” by way of the chamber this week.
The Home is scheduled to convene at 9 a.m. EDT Wednesday — with a procedural vote shortly after — to kick off the ground course of for the GOP’s tax cuts and spending invoice, as leaders race to satisfy their self-imposed July 4 deadline.
A number of lawmakers, nonetheless, have posted on social media that their flights again to the nation’s capital have been delayed or canceled as extreme climate hits Washington, elevating questions on attendance for the preliminary vote. A severe thunderstorm watch stays in impact within the D.C.-Maryland-Virginia space till 9 p.m.
Johnson can solely afford to lose three Republicans and nonetheless clear the procedural hurdle, assuming full attendance and united Democratic opposition, a razor-thin margin that would change due to absences — and assist both get together.
“We’re monitoring the climate intently; now we have to determine that out,” Johnson advised reporters Tuesday.
Requested if there can be full attendance for a Wednesday-morning vote on a procedural rule, the Speaker responded: “We’re unsure but.”
“There’s lots of delays proper now, in order that’s a part of the issue,” he added.
At the very least 4 members of the Home have stated publicly that their plans to return to D.C. had been scuttled due to the climate: Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) stated two of her flights to the Capitol had been canceled, writing that she’s “Scrambling to discover a technique to get to DC in time to vote for the Large Lovely Invoice”; and Rep. Russell Fry (R-S.C.) stated he was driving again to D.C., emphasizing the significance of being on the town to vote on the get together’s marquee invoice.
“I used to be imagined to be on a aircraft really headed to Washington, D.C., tonight to vote on the ‘one massive, lovely invoice’ tomorrow within the Home, by way of this week, however flights up and down the East Coast are being canceled,” Fry stated in a video posted on social platform X. “However I’m not going to probability being caught in Myrtle Seaside on this historic alternative. I’m getting within the automotive proper now, we’re simply leaving city, and we’re going to drive during till we get to Washington, D.C., at 9.”
“The second is simply too vital to sit down round and wait in an airport. Let’s go ship on President Trump’s agenda. So we’re going to vote on the ‘one massive, lovely invoice this week,” he added. “Within the meantime, I’m going to have one massive, lovely street journey. It’s going to be nice, and we’ll goodbye tonight in Washington, D.C.”
On the opposite aspect of the aisle, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-In poor health.) said he was also driving back to D.C. after his flight was canceled, whereas Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wis.) said his flight was canceled, so he was driving to Chicago to catch an early aircraft again to Washington. They each underscored eager to return to Washington to vote towards the GOP megabill.
“Hello, I’m on the airport in Madison, and my flight simply received canceled as a result of thunderstorms to go to D.C. So I’m driving to Chicago, hoping to get one of many first flights, 6 a.m. tomorrow, however that is a part of the glamorous lifetime of Congress, I assume,” Pocan stated in a video posted on X. “Going to get again although to vote ‘no’ for positive.”
It stays unclear if extra Republicans or Democrats are feeling the results of the inclement climate.
Even with full attendance, Johnson was already going through a troublesome vote on the procedural rule Wednesday morning, with a handful of hard-line Home conservatives threatening to oppose the procedural vote — which units debate for the laws — as a result of they don’t like a number of provisions within the invoice.
Such a transfer would deliver legislative enterprise on the Home flooring to a halt, seemingly thwarting management’s hopes of sending President Trump the package deal by July 4.