House Republicans Abandon Another Spending Bill, Dimming Summer Funding Hopes
Facing potential defeat, GOP leaders chose to forgo a final passage vote Tuesday night on their proposal to fund the Department of Energy and federal water infrastructure programs.
TroibNews 
On Tuesday, House Republicans withdrew their funding bill for federal energy and water projects from the floor after an extended period of debate. This marks another setback in their effort to pass a dozen funding measures before the August recess.
This issue arises after Republicans had to pull two other funding bills from the floor on Monday due to significant internal disagreements, including disputes among GOP members over abortion and contraceptive protections language. Additionally, Republicans experienced an unexpected defeat with their $7 billion measure to fund the legislative branch earlier this month when 10 GOP members sided with Democrats to oppose the measure.
The inability of Republicans to unite over their fiscal 2025 funding bills, several of which are typically uncontroversial, once again highlights the conference's divisions over spending. Conservatives and vulnerable moderates are at odds over proposed cuts and policy provisions. Although GOP leaders have successfully passed four appropriations bills — funding the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and Veterans Affairs — doubts are growing among lawmakers about the chances of any additional measures clearing the floor. This uncertainty is prompting calls for an early departure for the August recess.
Numerous conservatives were unhappy that their amendments were excluded from the energy and water funding bill, while GOP members from Georgia voiced concerns over insufficient funding related to the Port of Savannah.
The $59 billion bill aimed to reverse the Department of Energy's pause on new permits for exporting liquefied natural gas and reduce funding for efficiency and renewable energy programs. It also proposed revoking $8 billion from the department's loan office.
The failure of this measure raises concerns about another pending package, a $38.4 billion proposal for funding the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. This bill would cut the EPA's budget by 20 percent, reflecting Republican opposition to the Biden administration's climate and environmental policies. It passed out of committee earlier this month along party lines, following unsuccessful Democratic attempts to remove numerous policy riders targeting regulations.
On Monday evening, the White House issued a veto threat for both measures, stating that “House Republicans are again wasting time with partisan bills that would result in deep cuts” to key programs.
House Republican leaders have admitted that the most contentious aspects of both bills are likely to be rejected in negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate. Although government funding is set to expire on Sept. 30, final bipartisan negotiations will not commence until after Election Day.
Annie Snider and Kelsey Tamborrino contributed to this report.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
This issue arises after Republicans had to pull two other funding bills from the floor on Monday due to significant internal disagreements, including disputes among GOP members over abortion and contraceptive protections language. Additionally, Republicans experienced an unexpected defeat with their $7 billion measure to fund the legislative branch earlier this month when 10 GOP members sided with Democrats to oppose the measure.
The inability of Republicans to unite over their fiscal 2025 funding bills, several of which are typically uncontroversial, once again highlights the conference's divisions over spending. Conservatives and vulnerable moderates are at odds over proposed cuts and policy provisions. Although GOP leaders have successfully passed four appropriations bills — funding the Pentagon, the Department of Homeland Security, the State Department, and Veterans Affairs — doubts are growing among lawmakers about the chances of any additional measures clearing the floor. This uncertainty is prompting calls for an early departure for the August recess.
Numerous conservatives were unhappy that their amendments were excluded from the energy and water funding bill, while GOP members from Georgia voiced concerns over insufficient funding related to the Port of Savannah.
The $59 billion bill aimed to reverse the Department of Energy's pause on new permits for exporting liquefied natural gas and reduce funding for efficiency and renewable energy programs. It also proposed revoking $8 billion from the department's loan office.
The failure of this measure raises concerns about another pending package, a $38.4 billion proposal for funding the Interior Department and the Environmental Protection Agency. This bill would cut the EPA's budget by 20 percent, reflecting Republican opposition to the Biden administration's climate and environmental policies. It passed out of committee earlier this month along party lines, following unsuccessful Democratic attempts to remove numerous policy riders targeting regulations.
On Monday evening, the White House issued a veto threat for both measures, stating that “House Republicans are again wasting time with partisan bills that would result in deep cuts” to key programs.
House Republican leaders have admitted that the most contentious aspects of both bills are likely to be rejected in negotiations with the Democratic-controlled Senate. Although government funding is set to expire on Sept. 30, final bipartisan negotiations will not commence until after Election Day.
Annie Snider and Kelsey Tamborrino contributed to this report.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
