Mike Johnson cancels more House votes in escalation of shutdown strategy [View all]

Source: msn/Axios

12h


House Republicans on Friday cancelled plans to vote next week as the federal government shutdown dragged into its third day.

Why it matters: The move means Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is digging in against Democrats' demands to come to the table and negotiate a deal to reopen the government.

The House voted last month to pass a bill that would extend 2024 funding levels until November, but Democrats largely opposed it because it lacked provisions to preserve health care access.

The bill has stalled in the Senate, and Democrats continue to clamor for a discussion and Republicans refuse to budge.

State of play: The House had been scheduled to be in session from Tuesday, Oct. 7, to Friday, Oct. 10, but Johnson re-designated it to be what is called a district work period.

In other words: Rather than being required to return to Washington, D.C., to vote on legislation, House members will be able to remain in their districts next week.

The House is not scheduled to meet again until Oct. 14, meaning at least two weeks will have gone by since the government shutdown began before House members were gathered together on Capitol Hill.

Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/mike-johnson-cancels-more-house-votes-in-escalation-of-shutdown-strategy/ar-AA1NPwm1