House Dems Fail to Back GOP Spending Measures Funding Vets' Benefits, Museums - East Idaho News
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House Dems Fail to Back GOP Spending Measures Funding Vets’ Benefits, Museums

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GETTY P 100113 JohnBoehner?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1380687270109Alex Wong/Getty Images(WASHINGTON) — In the latest attempt to mitigate the effects of a government shutdown, the House voted on these three measures Tuesday evening, but all of them failed to pass for lack of Democrat votes.

Since the House considered the measures in an expedited manner, they each required a two-thirds majority to pass. Each fell about 20 Democrat votes short of passage. They would have required 288 favorable votes to pass.

H.J. Res. 72, Honoring our Promise to America’s Veterans Act

(Failed 264-164 but picked up 33 Democrat votes; No Republicans opposed)

Would provide for the immediate availability of mandatory funds generally controlled through the annual Appropriations process for the Department of Veterans Affairs, namely for veterans disability payments, the GI Bill, education training, and VA home loans under the same conditions as in effect at the end of the just completed fiscal year. In addition, discretionary funds for Departmental management are also provided.
 
H.J. Res. 71, Provide Local Funding for the District of Columbia Act

(Failed 265-163 but picked up 34 Democrat votes; No Republicans opposed)

Would provide for the immediate availability of local funds (which are subject to the control of Congress through the annual Appropriations process) for the District of Columbia under the same conditions as in effect at the end of the just completed fiscal year. 

H.J. Res. 70, Open Our Nation’s Parks and Museums Act

(Failed 252-176 but picked up 22 Democrat votes; One Republican opposed)

Would provide immediate funding for (1) National Park Service Operations, (2) the Smithsonian, (3) the National Gallery of Art, and (4) the United States Holocaust Museum at the same rate and under the same conditions as in effect at the end of the just completed fiscal year.

House Speaker John Boehner will likely bring all three bills to the floor under a rule that would require just a simple majority to pass, putting 48 House Democrats in a pickle: Either flip their vote on these measures just 24 hours after supporting Tuesday, or give Boehner an assist in his showdown with Senate Democrats.

The House has same-day authority until Oct. 7, allowing Boehner to move more rapidly on legislation as his Conference continues to brainstorm how to end the standoff.

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