A Republican Again Prevents House From Passing Disaster Aid

A House Republican lawmaker on Thursday prevented the House from sending a multibillion-dollar disaster relief bill to President Trump. This time, it was John Rose of Tennessee who objected when the package came up for unanimous consent—the only way legislation can pass when the House is on recess, CNN reports. Thomas Massie of Kentucky and Chip Roy of Texas had done the same thing in the past week. The measure can receive approval when the full House returns Monday. The $19.1 billion bill was approved overwhelmingly by the Senate, and Trump supports it.

"Our nation is $22 trillion in debt," Rose said on the House floor, per the Washington Post. Adding $20 billion in new spending would be "another act of irresponsible big government." Members of both parties criticized Rose, as they had Massie and Roy. Rep. Nita Lowey of New York said: "It is beyond comprehension that anyone would think 15 minutes of fame is worth making disaster victims, like those in flood-battered Tennessee, wait even longer for the help they need." (Massie had objected to approving the bill during a recess.)